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V AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


AN APPEAL ‘TO CHRISTIAN PATRIOTS 
TO ALIGN OUR COUNTRY WITH JESUS 
FOR HER SAFETY IN THE NEXT WAR 


wu BY: 
J. C.. McFEETERS, D. D. 
MINISTER IN THE 
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 


AUTHOR OF 


“mE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH” 
“ETE COVENANTERS IN AMERICA” 
“SKETCHES OF THE COVENANTERS”’ 


“PEACE ON EARTH 
VERSUS ANOTHER WORLD-WAR” 


The Christopher Publishing House 
Boston, U.S. A. 


THIRD EDITION 


Copyright 1922 
By J. C. McFeeters 
Copyright 1926 
By The Christopher Publishing House 





DEDICATED TO 
AMERICAN PATRIOTS . 


MAY THE LORD JESUS MAKE THEM WISE 
AND VALIANT TO SAVE OUR COUNTRY 
IN THE COMING CRISIS 


“THESE SHALI, MAKE, WAR WITH THE LAMB, 
AND THE LAMB SHALL OVERCOME THEM; FOR 
HE IS LORD OF LORDS AND KING OF KINGS.” 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 
GSE UOR DM tree Ter ares ed Tones ta hts 1 
pee A CHMMS hans pitas Miah be ubine Geeta diel) a 5 
¥ 
PENATION (DORN) TO LEAD 222 ibe) eee ests 9 
II 
THE AMERICAN CONSCIENCE .............. 12 
III 
PTR METOC ERERCTN atic ied Merron 16 
IV 
(ERRUNATIONS) IN@ PROPHECY 055.0. vou 22 
V 
POT EUIN PED IONSASILRADER. .! oe lee bys oe Wis ba 26 
VI 
WiLL AMERICA LEAD THE WoRLD .......... 32 
VII 
REOUISLIESHEOR’ LEADERSHIP a)... bo... os: 37 
VIII 
PO NSETMETITEC WAY 22 ok Se oe ken hanes 43 
IX 
Tine LORD'S) CONTROVERSY (200) oe cin 50 
x 
PR ECREA TE RVVARNING Wor Ye ee ect 57 


CONTENTS 


XI 

THE APPROACHING CRISIS ..... 
XII 

A Micuty Morar ConFuicrt ... 
XIII 

THE Last oF ALL Wars ....... 
XIV 

Is THE War PREVENTABLE .... 
XV 

RE-CONSTRUCTION OF SOCIETY 
XVI 

THE TIME OF THE END ....... 


Vill 


FOREWORD 


By A. A. JOHNSON, D. D. 
PRESIDENT, GENEVA COLLEGE 


At the root of most of our social problems lies 
the theory that you can banish religion from 
the most important spheres of human activity and 
do it with impunity. 

Some there are who say that God has nothing 
to do with universal law. You may pray, if 
you wish, but you must pray  circumspectly 
and only for spiritual gifts, for the world and its 
laws have come from material causes through 
material means. i 

Again there is the economic life which ab- 
sorbs so much of man’s energy and _ interest. 
Business is business. In other words, religion 
has no place here. Humanity and _ sentiment 
are to be ruthlessly banished. |The economic 
man is to have no heart or ideals, only wants 
to be satisfied. 

Then again, in the world of statesmanship, 
the interference of religious ideals with politics 


I 


FOREWORD 


has been held to be mischievous. In the name 
of national security and religious liberty, politics 
has carved out a province, in which it holds the 
Writ of God does not run. 

For this purpose this little book has been 
written—to declare boldly that the throne of 
the universe is not vacant, to instil into the 
hearts of men the old message—as old as his- 
troy itself, but ever forgotten—the message of 
the sovereignty of God. If the world is not 
willing to heed the message, then history will 
continue to be made up of stratagems, wars, 
treasons, broken treaties, captivities and name- 
less cruelties. It will be the same drama with 
only different names and scenes. 

In addressing the students of Edinburg Uni- 
versity, Carlyle said: ‘No nation that did not 
contemplate this wonderful universe with an 
awe-stricken and reverential feeling that there 
is an omnipotent, all-wise and all-virtuous Being 
Superintending all men and all the interest in 
it—no such nation has ever done much, nor 
has any man who has forgotten God.” The 
Bible expresses the truth in even a blunter fash- 
ion: “The wicked shall be turned into Hell 
and all the nations that forget God.” 

2 


FOREWORD 


As citizens we must swear our final alle- 
giance to Him who sits upon the throne of the 
universe, ruling like a great Father in the bene- 
ficence of His rule, wielding a divine authority 
and governing with superhuman wisdom. ‘The 
Government shall be upon His shoulder. Of 
the increase of His Government and peace there 
shall be no end.” 

Then, and only then will righteousness and 
peace run down our streets like a river. All 
nations will then be blessed in Him. 

This book brings to our attention a neglected 
truth which appears more vital since the per- 
fidious attack of Germany upon civilization. 
Unless we grasp its import, there is danger that 
the gloomy night of pessimism will descend upon 
us. 

A. A. JOHNSTON. 
Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. 
August 7, 1922. 





PREFACE 


We live in ominous times. The world is 
troubled; the nations are bewildered; the pow- 
ers are shaking; old foundations are crumb- 
ling. What shall be the end of these things? 

Eminent men, who represent the great pow- 
ers of the world, have endeavored to solve the 
problems of peace and safety. Hitherto the 
best results have been but ‘a _ gentleman’s 
agreement.” Will the agreement stand when 
tested by new and perilous conditions? 

The world’s counselors have failed to take 
into consideration two great powers that are 
in the field—Jesus and the devil. Either of 
these is able to upset the most cherished plans of 
men. 

Jesus and the devil have been long engaged in 
warfare for the possession of this world and 
dominion over the people. The nations have 
excluded Jesus from their government; the 
devil has brazenly obtruded. He must be cast 
out and Jesus admitted ere the world can have 
peace. 


PREFACE 


The decisive engagement is yet to be fought. 
On this the Word of God is clear and pointed. 
We get our information from divine revelation, 
re-enforced and illuminated by the events of 
the times in which we live. The Lord, by His 
surprising providences, impresses the thought- 
ful with the fact, that the day of decision is 
near; it may involve the present generation. 

We have had one world-war. From the hills 
that trembled with the thunder of cannon, and 
from the valleys that ran red with blood, God 
pleaded with the nations. His dreadful voice 
was a call to repentance, an appeal for loy- 
alty to His moral government. Man’s obstin- 
acy protracted the war till the cry of anguish 
arose from the perishing world. The heart of 
God was touched and He stopped the war. 
The armistice originated with Him; by His 
good-will it became effective. “We are now under 
the truce of God.” Thus spake Lloyd-George. 

The lull in the storm affords the nations time 
to consider the Lord’s terms of peace. ‘Their 
representatives have met in conference; great 
problems have been discussed; important meas- 
ures have been adopted; but God’s terms of 
peace have not been considered. What can be 

6 


PREFACE 
expected but the renewal of hostilities. The 
Lord’s truce surely has a time-limit. 

Another war is on the horizon. ‘The issue is 
well defined—Who shall rule this world? Shall 
Jesus and His people govern the nations? or 
shall the devil and his minions continue in power? 
The question must be settled. 

This little volume is the author’s plea for 
our beloved country, so highly favored of the 
Lord. O that she may be found under the banner 
of King Jesus in the world-crisis which is rapid- 
ly approaching! In the horrifying crash of the 
falling nations, our safety will absolutely de- 
pend on right relation with God and loyalty to 
Jesus Christ. 

J. C. McFEETERS. 
Parnassus, Pa. 
August 1, 1922. 


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ee ee ee 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


A NATION BORN TO LEAD 


When the American nation was born, the 
Liberty Bell rang for joy and the music echoed 
around the world. The mother, however, was 
not elated over the notable event, as mothers 
generally are when a child is born; rather did 
she give the unwelcome infant a vast deal of 
trouble. 

The cradle was rocked with the storms of 
war; childhood was spent amid contention and 
hardships; the days of youth brought tasks 
that developed a strong, intrepid and adven- 
turous life. Growth, maturity and_ responsi- 
bility came as the years went, until the United 
States of America ranked among the great 
powers. 

Our country commands the respect, if not 
the good-will, of every nation on earth; has 
merited universal admiration for her sense of 

9 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


honor and right; receives credit for readiness 
to use her might in defense of justice and hu- 
manity; has won unlimited confidence as a 
fearless and dependable champion of inter- 
national righteousness. 

The American pioneers were a hardy stock. 
They were fitted by their Creator for achieve- 
ments beyond the ordinary; were distinguished 
for foresight, power of endurance, adaptation 
to new conditions, ability to create environ- 
ments, and especially for their faith in God. 
They accepted His will as their rule of conduct 
and followed it as the sure way to true success 
and greatest happiness. 

When God would plant a great nation in this 
Western Hemisphere, He winnowed European 
seed and sowed the virgin soil with the Hugue- 
nots of France, Puritans of England, Presby- 
terians of Holland, Covenanters of Scotland, 
Scotch-Irish Protestants and other selections of 
like quality. 

The Church of Jesus Christ in America has 
taken deep root and flourished as a noble vine 
planted by the Lord; her fruitful branches over- 
spread the mountains and valleys from coast 
to coast. 

10 


A NATION BORN TO LEAD 


Among the early settlers the men of faith 
were in power. They were sufficiently numer- 
ous and influential to stamp the religion of 
Jesus Christ upon public institutions, thus 
making our country famous for the open Bible, 
the holy Sabbath, the ideal home and free edu- 
cation. 

These were men who lived. on the Word of 
God as truly as on the fruits of the earth; 
while the physical in their lives was nourished 
and matured, the spiritual was neither neg- 
lected nor inactive. This gave them force, 
efficiency and character. 

They began and closed the day with family 
worship. They suspended work on Saturday 
evening and repaired to the house of God on Sab- 
bath morning. They fed their children on 
porridge and the Shorter Catechism. They 
established public schools with the Bible as an 
indispensable textbook. They formed a free 
government, under which all should enjoy equal 
rights and every conscience should deal direct- 
ly with God. America was well born. 


II 


II 
THE AMERICAN CONSCIENCE 


America has developed with astonishing 
rapidity; ranks already among the great world- 
powers; has attained to phenomenal, if not 
exceptional, prominence. And in her splendid 
march toward the front, let it be remembered 
that she has steadily retained a fine sense of 
right and honor among the powers and peoples 
of the world. Conscience has kept pace with 
her other powers; rather has lead them, as has 
been repeatedly demonstrated in her magnan- 
imous dealings with sister nations. 

America has amazed the world betimes, and 
her own self, too, by the vastness and prompt- 
ness of her reserve forces of men and material 
hastening into action at the beck of emergen- 
cies, or when a righteous cause appealed for 
help. 

In the Sixties her conscience arose in its mighti- 
ness for the deliverance of the colored race and 
abolished slavery, the fiend that attempted to 
strangle the American spirit of liberty. 

12 


THE AMERICAN CONSCIENCE 


More recently she outlawed the traffic in in- 
toxicants, flinging from her bosom the mon- 
strous viper, that had poisoned her vitals for 
ages, wasted her treasures, corrupted her govern- 
ment and disgraced her sons and daughters. 

Dishonored and injured by imperious Spain, 
she used the occasion to hurl her bolts of war 
on behalf of the oppressed, delivering Cuba and 
the Philippine Islands from their haughty op- 
pressor. 

Looking abroad, she sickened at the sight of 
the fields of carnage and the flow of blood in 
the Russo-Japanese war, and by judicious 
mediation caused the war to cease. 

Seeing the Kaiser push the battle to the gate 
with determination to reverse the wheels of 
civilization and rule the world with “the mailed 
fist” and a despotic will, America’s sons, by 
the million, rushed to the field of conflict; nor 
shrank they from the service and sacrifice till, 
with the help of Almighty God, the tide of 
war was turned and the world saved from ruth- 
less despotism. 

Our country has shown fitness to take her 
place among the foremost nations, if not at the 
very front. Her high-grade qualities, developed 

13 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


by the free use of the Bible and backed by man- 
power never yet defeated, adapt her for except- 
tional service as a guide to bring the benighted 
world out of bewilderment and confusion into 
the marvelous light of God, shining in the face 
of Jesus Christ, the King of nations. 

The times call for action; the call is loud and 
intense. Action should be quick, heroic and 
effective, for the world is in jeopardy and will 
again be wrecked, if the spirit of lawlessness be 
not checked. Forgetfulness of God, resulting in 
utter disregard for righteousness, spreads and 
sickens our nation like a pestilence. Action 
without delay is the need of the day; action 
along new lines, with new incentives, new power, 
new determination, toward a new objective. 

Leagues, conferences, councils and_ interna- 
tional alliances have been tried and found in- 
sufficient. They all have failed to furnish a 
remedy for the world’s ailments, or a preventa- 
tive to save from worse conditions. Their 
best services have been like attempting to bind 
the demon of destruction with ribbons of silk. 
They cry, “Peace, peace,” when there is no 
peace. 

Will America heed the urgent call? Will she 

14 


THE AMERICAN CONSCIENCE 


recognize it as the voice of the Lord seestaitiat 
her a new and notable position and an excep- 
tional service among the nations? Will she 
wisely utilize her privileges? Will she insure 
herself against disaster by entering into right 
relation with God? Will she thus become a 
moral and political example for the world and 
save the race from a direful cataclysm, that 
is even now casting its shadow over both hemi- 
spheres? 
15 


III 
NOT YET PERFECT 


America in her position among the nations 
is worthy of imitation in many respects. All 
the powers on earth might follow her example 
to good purpose in certain directions. In some 
ways she is a model; and the model, if wisely 
used, would surely lift the world out of many a 
slum and save from many a slump. 

And yet our republic, with all her attainments, 
has by no means arrived at perfection. This is 
an accepted fact. The goal has not yet been 
reached. The nation hastens onward. Progress 
is a word, in its strictest sense, distinctively 
American. The limit to advancement and 
achievement is not within our present-day ho- 
rizon. The great suggests the greater and in- 
spires to its possession. The very genius of our 
country is evolution in the best sense and de- 
velopment to the highest degree; bringing to 
the light and into action mental, moral and 
physical forces that lie hidden’ within her 
illimitable domain. 

16 


NOT YET PERFECT 


Yet with all the elements of greatness that 
enter into her life and the growing powers that 
give her character, it may be said to this nation 
as Jesus said to an accomplished young man, 
clever and wealthy, “Yet lackest thou one thing.” 
Our country is without official connection with 
Jesus Christ, the King of nations and the Prince 
or Peace.* 

Multitudes of the people honor Jesus as the 
Almighty Saviour, but the government neglects 
Him as the Supreme Ruler. 

The defect is serious; it greatly’ impedes 
progress and prosperity, is fruitful in defects 
and failures among officials and results in law- 
lessness and distress among the people. Jesus 
has said, “Apart from Me ye can do nothing.’ + 
This divine aphorism is wide enough to include 
nations. Our government, by self-separation 
from King Jesus, forfeits His favor, lies under 
His displeasure, and is handicapped by His just 
reprisals. The losses incurred through penal- 
ties inflicted and blessings withheld are beyond 
calculation. 


Nations have to deal with Jesus. By His will 


Pl eaeo70.08; Onn. 15:5. 
17 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


they rise or fall, live or die, continue to prosper 
or pass into oblivion. To ignore the Lord Jesus 
is folly; to disown Him is madness; to succeed 
without Him is impossible; to exclude Him 
from civil government is to invite wrath and 
retribution. The world is strewn with the ruins 
of the powers whose rulers dared to supersede Jesus. 
They ignored His authority and He demolished 
their empires. 


Will our nation enter into right relation with 
King Jesus? Will she affiliate with Him, “who 
sits upon the circle of the earth and the inhab- 
itants thereof are as grasshoppers; in whose 
presence the nations are as a drop of a bucket 
and are counted as the small dust of the 
balance?”* Will she do this with a true heart 
and by public action? Then will Jesus, the 
Royal Son of God, the world’s Almighty Sav- 
iour, become her Ruler, Friend, Protector, 
Benefactor. 


By honoring Jesus Christ, our country will 
be honored; by duly recognizing Him, she will 
secure His favor. By placing the government 
under His authority and harmonizing her insti- 


* Isa. 40 :12-23. 
18 


NOT YET PERFECT 


tutions and laws with His will, she will have 
His support, guidance, co-operation and the 
unlimited supplies of His storehouses. “Happy 
is that people that is in such a case; yea, happy 
is that people whose God is the Lord.”* The 
benedictions of heaven will then descend like 
summer showers. 

Will our nation be wise in the day of oppor- 
tunity? Will she arise and take the step es- 
sential to true greatness, permanent peace, 
genuine happiness, endless progress and un- 
limited prosperity? God grant that she may 
put herself in line with His will, in harmony 
with the laws of His universe. Thereby will 
she escape the doom of ancient Babylon and 
modern Germany. 

“Vet one thing thou lackest.” The goal of 
nations, the true goal of peace and right, of 
honor and might, of gladness and light, lies far 
beyond present conditions. As it has been 
written of individuals, so may it be said of 
nations—‘‘EKye hath not seen, nor ear heard, 
neither have entered into the heart of man, the 
things God hath prepared for them _ that 


* Psa. 144:15. 
19 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


love Him; but God hath revealed them unto 
us by His Spirit.” * 

The Lord has a future for the nations far 
surpassing man’s sublimest conception. The 
greatness, gladness, goodness and security of 
the inhabitants of the earth, as the nations 
arise to their legitimate place on God’s pro- 
gramme, will exceed the loftiest flights of poetic 
genius. Imagination on boldest wing cannot 
see what the nations yet shall be, nor can artist, 
with transfigured soul, portray their coming 
glory. Will our nation grasp the vision? Will 
she study God’s ideal and strive to make it real? 
Will she acquire the new qualities and be dis- 
tinguished as a Christian Republic, true to 
Almighty God and loyal to Jesus Christ? When 
thus she rises in character and becomes notable 
as a people ‘‘whose God is the Lord,” she will 
be qualified to lead the world out of darkness 
into light and onward into the heights of pro- 
phetic blessedness. 


Our country, in the name of Jesus, can turn 
the prophecy of national blessedness into splen- 
did history. Will she do it? O that she had 


*I Cor. 2:9-10. 


NOT YET PERFECT 


such noble ambition! O that she would choose 
the highway to permanent power and _ largest 
success! “QO that they were wise, that they 
understood this, that they would consider their 
latter end!”* Then would our nation be an 
example, awakening world-wide interest and 
inspiring universal imitation; a concrete case 
of God’s ideal for all nations; a demonstration 
of the possibility of peace, power, righteous- 
ness and security in every land. Then would 
America be a standardbearer entrusted with 
the banner under whose folds the world will 
yet rally. Such would be the most prevailing 
argument and effective force that could’ be 
employed to lift the benighted nations out of 
the depths of diabolism and despair. 


Oo Se eta a Mie ei Sel MAE SR ET Rd 
* Deut. 32:20. 
21 


IV 
THE NATIONS IN PROPHECY 


The Bible is the sure word of prophecy con- 
cerning man and equally sure concerming na- 
tions. The Lord, who sees the end from the 
beginning, revealed to His servants, the pro- 
phets, many outstanding events of the future; 
and what they saw they faithfully recorded in 
His Word. We do well to take heed to what 
is written and open our eyes upon those visions, 
that we may know what the nations shall be, 
when lighted up with the glory of the Lord in 
the latter days. 

No better antidote than this for pessimism. 
Gaze upon the splendours of the nations as they 
appear in prophecy, and notwithstanding the 
present political distractions, if the soul be not 
dead, a song of praise will arise in the heart to 
the Lord, by whose power the vision will yet 
materialize and the realization will become 
world-wide. The word that goeth out of His 
mouth will not return unto Him void, but shall 

22 


THE NATIONS IN PROPHECY 


accomplish His pleasure and shall prosper in 
the thing whereto He hath sent it. 

Here we may raise the question, What has 
the Lord said concerning the future of the na- 
tions? What has He determined to do for 
them? We employ space to produce merely a 
few of the many predictions of peace, right- 
eousness, prosperity and happiness guaranteed; 
predictions that illuminate the pages of God’s 
Word and beam upon the earth like the rising 
sun. 

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, 
that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be 
established in the top of the mountains, and 
shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations 
shall flow unto it.” + 

“And He shall judge among the nations; and 
shall rebuke many peoples: and they shall beat 
their swords into plowshares, and their spears 
into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword 
against nation, neither shall they learn war any 
more.” 

“And the kingdom and dominion, and the 
greatness of the kingdom under the whole 


Bee Sch is homens AD ESR acta TE a eS ley an 
TeISA2 12 £ Isa. 2:4. 


23 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints 
of the Most High, whose kingdom is an ever- 
lasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve 
and obey Him.” * 

“And in that day there shall be a root of 
Jesse, that shall stand for an ensign of the peo- 
ples; to it shall the nations seek: and His rest 
shall be glorious.” + 

“Yea, all kings shall fall down before Him: 
all nations shall serve Him. His name _ shall 
endure for ever: His name shall be continued 
as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in 
Him: all nations shall call Him blessed.” + 

A happy future awaits our troubled world. 
The Lord’s forecast of a golden age will not be 
a disappointment. His word is pledged: “Yea, 
I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I 
have purposed it, I also will do it.’§ His 
oath is on record: “I have sworn by myself, the 
word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, 
and shall not return, that unto Me every knee 
shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” {] 

Jesus has made the supreme sacrifice to save 
the world; He has sprinkled the earth with 


Satya Isa. 11:10. ~ Psa. 72:11-17. 
§ Isa. 46:11. Isa. 45:23. 
24 


THE NATIONS IN PROPHECY 


His own precious blood, consecrating it to the 
highest use. He has also been exalted to the 
seat of omnipotent power with instruction from 
God, His. Father, to subdue the nations and 
bring them into harmony with the divine mind 
and with one another. Surely He will not 
cease operations till the whole earth be filled 
with His love and become the abode of peace 
and righteousness for all people. 

The nations have a great inheritance in pros- 
pect; a land flowing with milk and honey, lying 
in the lime-light of prophecy just beyond the 
desert; an unprecedented condition of healthi- 
ness, wealthiness, righteousness and happiness. 
What nation will lift up the banner of Jesus and 
lead the way? America has the opportunity, 
the prestige, the power, the means, the call. 
Has she the vision, the moral courage, the noble 
ambition? 

25 


V 
THE NEED OF A LEADER 


The times call for an efficient leader, a de- 
pendable standardbearer, to bring the nations 
into the promised land. Not a man; _individ- 
ual ability is puerile in presence of the gigantic 
task of restoring peace and order to our dis- 
tracted world. Not a group of men; though 
they have the wisdom and bear the dignity of 
the ‘Supreme Council of the World.” The 
wisest group would merely grope and perish in 
the bewildering darkness. 

The nations need a leader of their own rank; 
a leading nation to go before and set the pace; 
a nation established in right relation with God 
and experienced in Christian statesmanship; a 
nation honoring the Lord Jesus as her Moral 
Governor and through Him pressing toward the 
zenith of power and usefulness. 

The world awaits the coming of a Christian 
State that will be an example and an inspira- 
tion; awaits the coming of people governed 

26 


THE NEED OF A LEADER 


by consecrated men in the name of Christ, ruled 
by officials who are “the ministers of God,’* 
recognizing their accountability to Him. 

The nations are wandering in darkness, or at 
best, in twilight. Conditions are nowhere satis- 
factory; never have been. Progress has ever 
failed to reach the grand objective. When suc- 
cess is greatest, a jolt comes that checks the 
speed or reverses the engine. Every effort to 
forestall disaster, or prevent reverses, proves 
in the end a failure. Human devices for na- 
tional saftey are futile. Nor do the experiments 
of the past furnish any reliable guide for the 
present or the future. 


Statesmen have long tried, and are still try- 
ing, to place the nations on a solid basis of se- 
curity and peace; and yet the world has never 
been so drunk with blood as now, so delirious 
with demons, so crushed with debt, so sick and 
sad and almost in despair. 

The Temple of Peace at The Hague was 
praiseworthy in its purpose, but proved an 
utter failure in effect. The Czar, its promoter, 
perished, and his empire with him, in orgies of 





* Rom. 13:4. 
27 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


blood. The intention was right, but the system 
was radically defective. Jesus, the Prince of 
Peace, was not admitted. 

The League of Nations at Versailles was a 
grievous disappointment. The confusion at the 
Council Table was like that at the Tower of 
Babel, * the cause in each case being practically 
the same. The historic tower was built in de- 
fiance of God; the modern tower, independent 
of God. 


The Armament Limitation Conference at 
Washington has in a certain sense revealed an 
excellent spirit. The foremost men of the world, 
having visions of peace, are striving to lessen 
the horrors of war. The purpose is certainly 
in harmony with the mind of the Creator. But 
have they been working on a basis that insures 
success? 


The demon of war may be limited by the 
rulers of earth; his operations on the _ battle- 
field may be temporarily suspended; but will 
he not return again to find opportunity ripe and 
inviting? The demon of war is the devil. If 
the devil be excluded from civil government, 





* Gen. II.1-9. 


THE NEED OF A LEADER 


there will be a political vacancy unless Jesus 
Christ be admitted. Jesus must be admitted 
to keep the fiend out. The devil will assuredly 
return and attempt to re-occupy the place he 
calls “his own home.” * 

The nations have been wasted and destroyed 
by incompetent and degenerate rulers, though 
all rulers have not been degenerate or incom- 
petent. Every country under heaven has been 
drenched with blood and tears; mightiest cities 
have been desolated; ruinous piles mark their 
graves. Men in authority have seen all their 
methods of government fail to reach the ultimate 
good; every form of administration has proved 
abortive; every expedient, even the best, yields 
bitter fruit with the sweet. The wisdom of 
the world’s leaders is mixed with folly; their 
fondest hopes sink in disappointment and grief. 

One expedient alone remains to be tried; 
only one within the range of human knowledge,— 
the establishment of a Christian State with 
laws according to the Word of God and officials 
ruling in the name of Jesus Christ. 


The union of Church and State is by no means 


* Luke II: 24-26. 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


involved in a Christian form of government 
when constituted according to the Word of God. 
The two, as ordained of God, are distinct and 
separated in purpose, nature and administra- 
tion. 

The Church and the State are equally of God; 
the Church to meet the spiritual side of life; 
the State to meet the physical. In correct 
functioning, they are mutually helpful and co- 
operative, each being under the authority of 
Jesus Christ but never intermingled or con- 
fused. 

Jesus is the Governor of the State by the un- 
alterable decree of the Father. Therefore the 
normal relation of the State to Jesus is that of 
a loyal subject. Why should not this notable 
fact have a legal acknowledgement? Why 
should not the nation, in her government, 
honor and obey the great Sovereign? To refuse 
this in a country where Christianity is prom- 
inent and dominant is at least inexcusable 
carelessness; the sense of self-sufficiency is 
well-nigh idolatrous. Such a course, if per- 
sistently pursued, will surely meet with God’s 
righteous retributions. Nations must learn to 
obey Jesus Christ or suffer the consequences. 

30 


THE NEED OF A LEADER 


When will the experiment of a Christian 
State once be tried? Have not the cruel dis- 
asters, the torrents of blood, the burdens of 
debt, the floods of tears been sufficient to halt 
wrong government and swing the world over 
to the administration of Jesus Christ? 

Will the leaders of our great republic have 
the goodness and courage to break the bonds of 
usage, step out on new ground and in the name 
of Jesus put our nation in line with the Lord? 
The noble effort would make them the pioneers 
of the New Earth. Such men will appear some 
day and achieve success; future generations 
will arise and call them blessed. 

31 


VI 
WILL AMERICA LEAD THE WORLD 


The nations are destined to become Christian. 
On this the Word of God is clear. The time is 
coming when the people and the government, 
in every country on earth, will be according to 
the mind of the Lord. Jesus Christ will be the 
acknowledged Leader and honored Ruler, and 
all peoples will rejoice in His beneficent reign. 
This the Lord has promised; He will not fail 
to bring it to pass. ‘Yea, all kings shall fall 
down before Him: all nations shall serve Him.”* 

He, who reads the Bible and understands 
what he reads, cannot fail to be an insupressible 
optimist. He looks out with great concern 
upon the war-worn and woe-beleaguered world. 
Great storms have wrought havoc; other storms 
darken the sky. Yet notwithstanding all this, 
he sees a great light in the distance. The earth 
is flooded with the glory of the Lord; all nations 
are peaceful, prosperous and happy under the 


sul tt: lye Eo 2 
32 


WILL AMERICA LEAD THE WORLD 


reign of Jesus Christ, the honored Governor of 
the world. 

What resplendent brightness in that pro- 
phetic outlook! While the mind contemplates, 
the heart is in raptures. We have the assurance 
from the mouth of the Lord that the thrilling 
vision shall have its fullest realization. The 
world, by the grace of God, shall surely reach the 
shining goal. 

Listen to the voice of the Lord’s prophets 
who spake as He gave them utterance, reveal- 
ing the purpose and plan of the Lord for our 
world and its nations: 

“For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and 
as the garden causeth the things that are sown 
in it to spring forth; so the Lord will cause 
righteousness and praise to spring forth before 
all nations.”’* 

“The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and 
in righteousness; and the nations shall bless 
themselves in Him, and in Him shall they 
glory.” + 

“O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: 
for Thou shalt judge the peoples righteously, 





Wisay Or sii. f Jer. 4:2. 
33 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


and govern the nations upon the earth. Let 
the peoples praise Thee,O God; let all the peo- 
ples praise Thee.’’* 

“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy 
mountain; for the earth shall be full of the 
knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the 
sea.” t 


We have quoted a few of the many prophe- 
cles revealing the coming glory of the nations, 
as the Lord has purposed in His heart to exalt 
them, and recorded on His chart the ideal con- 
ditions which they shall reach. His promises 
relating to them shine like the stars of heaven, 
among which the Bright and Morning Star in- 
spires assurance and confirms faith beyond the 
possibility of doubt. 


Assuredly the nations are on the road to better 
conditions; yea, to blessedness of the highest 
order possible on earth. Present prospects are 
not bright, but the goal will certainly be 
reached. They may pass through tribulations 
on the way, but eventually they will bask in 
the prophetic splendours. 


Will America be the first of the nations to 


*Psa. 67:4-5. +1Sa,.T120: 
34 


WILL AMERICA LEAD THE WORLD 


catch the vision and enter into the glory? Will 
she become the recognized leader of the world, 
having herself passed out of darkness into the 
marvelous light? Will she lift up the standard 
of the Lord Jesus Christ and bear it aloft, that 
under it the world may rally? Will she pre- 
pare herself for this noble service by becoming 
a worthy example, a nation constituted and 
governed according to the will of God? Will 
she distinguish herself as a Christian Republic, 
ruled by efficient men in the name of Jesus 
Christ, to the glory of God and for the highest 
welfare of the people? Will our nation qualify 
as the world’s leader? 

Our country is quite a distance on the way to 
this important and honorable position. Her 
Christian attainments are by no means to be 
despised. One of our jurists, a distinguished 
judge, has officially affirmed that this is even 
now a Christian nation. His decision, in an 
important sense, cannot be reasonably disputed. 
This nation bears the impress of the religion of 
Christ. She is thereby distinguished from pagan 
nations. Besides, a majority of the people, not 
Jess than sixty million according to published 
reports, are Christian by profession or affilia- 

35 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


tion. Our country is Christian, not Moham- 
medan, nor Confucian, nor Brahman, nor any 
thing else but Christian, by way of contrast or 
comparison. 

Will not the sixty million, who agree that 
Jesus is the Mighty Saviour, rally for the uplift 
of our nation, that she may honor Him as her 
Supreme Ruler? Will they not confer upon 
her the moral requisites of a worthy standard- 
bearer, that having realized the wonderful 
possibilities of a Christian nation she may lead 
other nations into the predicted blessedness and 
peace? 

36 


VII 
REQUISITES FOR LEADERSHIP 


Perfection should not be expected of any 
nation. Faultlessness is not attainable under 
the sun by man or nation. While the world 
stands, defects will appear, errors will arise, 
mistakes will be made; yet if the heart be right, 
the good Lord will pardon. If the main pur- 
pose of life points loyally to the throne of Jesus 
Christ, the favor of the Lord will not be for- 
feited. 

When certain essentials enter into the civic 
organization and become active in public life, 
a nation becomes truly Christian, and may 
be properly so called notwithstanding existing 
defects. We mention four of these essentials; 
they are axiomatic and can be recognized at a 
glance. 


FIRST: JESUS WILL BE OFFI- 
CIALLY CONFESSED AS THE NA- 
TION’S RULER AND SAVIOUR. 


37 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


“Be wise now therefore, O ye kings; be in- 
structed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the 
Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish 
from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a 
little. | Blessed are all they that put their trust 
in Him.’’* 

The confession of Jesus Christ by the nation 
may find its proper expression in the preamble 
of the Federal Constitution. It would also add 
dignity and force to certain official messages 
and proclamations if judiciously inserted. 

The name of Jesus in political life is the sup- 
pressed name. It is not to be found in the 
vocabulary of our government. The ommission 
is remarkable. Was it an oversight, or by de- 
liberation? The friends of Jesus are embar- 
rassed over it. They know the fact of His 
exaltation as Universal King and are distressed 
because He is discredited among official circles. 

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted 
Him, and given Him a name which is above every 
name, that at the name of Jesus every knee 
should bow, of things in heaven, and on earth, 


* Psa. 2: 10-12. 
38 


REQUISITES FOR LEADERSHIP 


and under the earth; and that every tongue 
should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the 
glory of God the Father.”* Surely it is in order 
for our nation to bow the knee and make con- 
fession. 


SECOND: LEGISLATION WILL BE 
CONSTITUTIONAL ONLY WHEN IN 
HARMONY WITH THE WORD OF GOD. 


“Should not a people seek unto their God? 
To the law and to the testimony; if they speak 
not according to this word, it is because there 
is no light in them.” f 

The nations are God’s own. He has their 
welfare at heart. His will, as expressed in the 
Bible, is their guide to greatest happiness and 
prosperity. Departure therefrom involves in 
derangement and distress. | Compliance there- 
with opens the storehouses of the Lord’s good- 
ness and fills the land with substantial benefits. 
Nothing more pathetic on record than the la- 
mentation of the Lord over a refractory nation,— 
“QO that thou hadst hearkened to my command- 
ments! then had thy peace been as a river, and 
thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.”t 


* Phil. 2:9-11. + Isa. 8: 19-20. t Isa. 48:18 
39 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


THIRD: LOYALTY TO THE CHRIS- 
TIAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT WILL 
BE A QUALIFICATION FOR OFFICE. 
“Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the 

people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, 
hating covetousness; and place such over them, 
to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, 
rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens; and let them 
judge the people at all seasons.” * 


The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in re- 
ward for His sacrifice to save the world, has 
placed Him on the throne from which He rules 
heaven and earth. His authority is universal; 
His power is without limit. “The government 
is upon His shoulder.’ How unwise then, 
in the face of all this, and inconsistent where 
gospel light prevails and Christian people are a 
majority, to place in power the enemies of Jesus, 
authorizing them to rule over His territory 
occupied by people He has created for himself! 
Is not such procedure virtually, yea, actually, 
treason against the rightful Ruler? 


* Exo. 18 :21-22. 7 Isa. 9:6. 
40 


REQUISITES FOR LEADERSHIP 


FOURTH: OFFICIALS WILL BE 
HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LORD 
AND TO THE PEOPLE. 


“He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling 
in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light 
of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a 
morning without clouds; when the tender grass 
springeth out of the earth by clear shining after 
rain,” * 

This implies right relation with Jesus Christ, 
the Supreme Ruler, and a loyal heart. Civil 
officers are invested with authority to admin- 
ister government; but only as accountable to 
God and responsible to the people. They 
should ever set before their eyes the glory 
of God and the well-being of man. The Word 
of God honors them with the title, ‘Ministers 
of God.” + 

These ministers of God, by faithful service, 
become channels of His inexhaustible goodness. 
Their ministry refreshes the nation with showers 
of blessings; radiates light and heat like the 
rising sun; produces harvest like well watered 
fields in summer; distributes the munificence 





* Ti Sam. 23 :3-4. 7 Rom. 13:4. 
41 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


of the open hand and loving heart of King Jesus. 
A godly ruler is a public benefactor. 

These are four of the essential factors to be 
found in a nation truly Christian. National 
life without these will be radically defective. 
The health conditions of the State will be both 
sub-normal and abnormal. Political ailments 
and derangements may pass beyond control. 
Where these factors are wanting, a sufficient remedy 
must be found and applied, or the death of the 
nation is inevitable. Correct functioning will 
grow more and more difficult until it ends in a 
hopeless collapse. The voice of ancient empires, 
crying from the desolate mounds that mark 
their graves, gives solemn warning. 

Will not the sixty million, the Christian patriots 
of America, arise in the name of Jesus Christ, 
and impart to our nation the essential principles 
of exalted and permanent life? Im the strength 
of a working majority and of Jesus will they 
not inoculate her with the qualities of true, 
vigorous, prosperous Statehood, sufficient to 
resist decay and defy death? 

42 


LIONS IN THE WAY 
VIII 


Strong opposition to Christianizing the govern- 
ment of our country may be expected. (All 
men have not faith.) The wisdom of it will 
be questioned; the justice of it will be chal- 
lenged; the “square deal” will be quoted against 
it. There will be no limit to the accusations, 
denunciations, misrepresentations and _ carri- 
catures. 

The advance workers, occuping the field of 
reform, have drawn the enemy’s fire; they know 
the resistence that must be met and overcome. 
The fourteen-inch guns are even now hurling 
immense epithets, withal to shell-shock Chris- 
tian patriots. Sectarianism, uncharitableness, 
intolerance, fanaticism, injustice and other like 
terms of ponderous weight are screeching 
through the trembling air. But they who are 
true to Christ and country will remain un- 
daunted; they will neither halt nor doubt till 
success be achieved. 

43 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


The effort to stabilize our nation on the basis 
of Christian principles is challenged as sectarian- 
ism. The challenge proceeds from a preverted, 
or an inverted view of the Christian religion. 
Never did a more magnanimous thought arise 
in the human heart; never did a better, nobler 
cause appeal to man for his highest endeavor. 


Must they whourge our nation to own Jesus 
Christ as her Moral Ruler and the Bible as 
authority in law and government be regarded as 
sectarians? As well impute narrowness to the 
atmosphere that breathes life and health around 
the world, or to the sun that sheds light and 
comfort upon every land. The spirit that 
prompts such efforts is the very essence of good- 
will, acting with broad-minded intelligence and 
working for the greatest benefit of all people. 

The Bible is not a sectarian book; it is the 
world’s Book, God’s message of love to the hu- 
man family, His proclamation of amnesty to 
our guilty race. “And Jesus said unto them, 
Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel 
to every creature.” * 


Christianity is not a sectarian religion; it is 


* Mark 16:15. 
44 


LIONS IN THE WAY 


the world’s religion, destined to bless every 
land. “For God sent not His Son into the world 
to condem the world; but that the world 
through Him might be saved.” * 

Jesus is not a sectarian Saviour; he is the 
only Saviour. ‘Neither is there salvation in 
any other; for there is no other name under 
heaven given among men, whereby we must be 
saved.” f 

The throne of Jesus Christ is neither local nor 
limited; it is universal and omnipotent. “His 
kingdom is from generation to generation. He 
doeth according to His will in the army of heaven 
and among the inhabitants of the earth; and 
none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What 
doest Thou?” ¢ 


Thus the accusation of sectarianism falls with 
less weight than a pillow of down, where ordi- 
nary intelligence exists; and likewise all similar 
terms of reproach. 

The enemies of Jesus contest His right to 
honorable mention in our government on other 
grounds also and wax hot in their debate. They 
claim that thereby they would be deprived of 





*fonn, 3:17) Acts 4:32. Ft Dany 4:34-35. 
45 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


the privilege of citizenship. They could not 
subscribe to a Christian Constitufion. But 
Christians, too, have a conscience, and find it 
embarrassing to subscribe to an infidel Con- 
stitution: some of them positively refuse for 
conscience sake and accept of the hardships 
involved. 

How may this important question be decided? 
With ali fairness, by a referendum. Let it be 
appealed to the people. While majorities have 
no power to determine the moral quality of any 
question, they have the power, under popular 
government, to determine the course of action, 
leaving action free. 

Also it is argued that the eligibility to office 
would be limited by a Christian Constitution to 
the friends of Jesus. And what valid objec- 
tion to this can be offered? In the light of the 
open Bible,—the Bible that has made America 
to differ socially, morally, politically, educa- 
tionally and commercially from Brazil, China, 
Turkey, and most of the world,—in the light of 
the Bible, how can Christian government be 
opposed by any candid reader? 

The nation is the Lord’s; the country is His; 
the people are His; the authority is His; the 

46 


LIONS IN THE WAY 


welfare of all He has at heart. His thoughts 
for our nation are as far above men’s thoughts 
as heaven is higher than the earth. Then why, 
in the name of reason, place His enemies in 
power to rule? 

Even Christians hesitate to honor Jesus with 
a place in our national government because 
they think the time for action has not yet come. 
The plan is ideal, they say, but the ideal is for 
the future; at present it is not practical. It 
will suit the Millennium; just now it is entirely 
too drastic. The world would be turned up- 
side down; the changes would be entirely too 
radical. But do not existing conditions de- 
mand the unusual, the extraordinary, to save 
mankind from despair? 

Is not our nation heading in a wrong course? 
Is she not like a ship on the tempestuous ocean? 
Mighty winds are sweeping her toward the rocks. 
Without radical changes may she not be wrecked 
like other great nations that have forgotten 
God? 

And is not our world on the rapids, hurrying 
toward new dangers, with the roar of the cata- 
ract resounding in her ears, which may mean a 
cataclysm of frightfulness equal to that which 

47 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


we have recently experienced? Possibly greater. 
May God forbid. May Christians use all their 
power to prevent another cataclysm. 

Our nation is evidently approaching a crisis. 
The whole world is facing desperate conditions. 
Present efforts to prevent disaster are utterly 
inadequate. The most active and efficient men 
employed in guiding the political world are like 
children playing with toys; their power is puerile 
in the face of stupendous tasks. The ordinary 
has become futile and obsolete. The wisdom 
needed must be divine; the strength, colossal; 
the methods, extraordinary. 

Will not the people, who know their God, 
arise and do exploits?* In the strength of the 
Lord Almighty will they not spring into action 
and prevent the crash? In the Lord Jesus, the 
Merciful Saviour, they have the power; in our 
country they have the majority; under God 
they are responsible. The supreme task is to 
put our nation right with Jesus Christ. 

Will not the sixty million, the Christian pa- 
triots of America, stand up in the presence of 
all opposition and exclaim with the voice of 


* Dan. 11 532. 
48 


LIONS IN THE WAY 


united action, “Thine are we, O Jesus; and on 
Thy side, Thou Son of God.” * 


* I Chron. 12:18. 
49 


IX 
THE LORD’S CONTROVERSY 


The rulers of this world have an important 
lesson yet to learn. Thus far they have failed 
to become informed concerning the authority 
of Jesus over the nations; or if informed, they 
indifferently, or defiantly, withhold due honor. 

The Lord has been speaking from His throne 
in mercy intermingled with judgement for cen- 
turies. But in recent years He has proclaimed 
His sovereignty over nations in judgment al- 
most without mercy. From the hill-tops of 
France, wreathed with fire and clouds of smoke, 
He spake and the world heard ‘and trembled. 
Yet the rulers have not hearkened; nor have 
they recognized the hand that has smitten them. 

Nevertheless they shall yet know that the 
heavens do rule.* They must reckon with 
One “whose kingdom is over all.’ + God, the 
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in reward for 
His sacrifice on the cross, has exalted Him in 


«Dan 4120: + Psa. 103 :109. 
50 


THE LORD’S CONTROVERSY 


power and authorized Him to rule the world. 
Jesus said to His disciples, just before He as- 
cended to heaven, “All power is given unto Me 
in heaven and in earth.’ He is King over all; 
His authority is supreme; His word is final. 


A heathen king who reigned in ancient times, 
when he came to his senses, lifted up his eyes 
unto heaven and blessed the Most High God. 
Recording his experience, he said, “I praised 
and honored Him that liveth for ever, whose 
dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His 
kingdom is from generation to generation; and 
all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as 
nothing; and He doeth according to His will 
in the army of heaven and among the inhab- 
itants of the earth; and none can stay His hand, 
or say unto Him, What doest Thou?” * 


King Nebuchadnezzar’s glowing tribute shows 
his conception of the presence and power of the 
Lord in the government of the nations. He 
had been absent-minded for a time. When 
reason returned he saw the facts and glorified 
the Lord. He has left a notable example for 


* Dan. 4:34-35. 
SI 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


all rulers; and every one of them, when reason 
becomes normal, will follow his example. 

The Lord is deeply interested in the affairs of 
the whole world. ‘He ruleth in the kingdom of 
men.” ‘He hath made of one blood all nations 
of men, and hath determined the bounds of 
their habitation.” * | He has endowed the people 
everywhere with the inalienable right of liberty, 
protection, education and all the benefits of the 
gospel of Jesus Christ. He has appointed civii 
government for their moral and material welfare. 
He has all their interests at heart. 

But rulers, by mis-use of power, have greatly 
hindered the Lord’s benevolent purposes. Long, 
long have they interfered with His gracious 
designs. It cannot be thus for ever. The 
Lord is long suffering. But His patience can 
become weary to the breaking point; the meek- 
ness of the Lamb of God may burst into flames 
of wrath under continued provocation. 

The Lord remonstrated repeatedly with Judah, 
when that favored nation declined His author- 
ity and discarded His laws. The provocation 
was continued until impelled to use _ severest 





* Acts 17:26. 
52 


THE LORD’S CONTROVERSY 


language He exclaimed, “Shall I not visit for 
these things? saith the Lord; shall not My 
soul be avenged on such a nation as this?” * 
They repented not and He relented not. Their 
armies were defeated; their cities were pillaged; 
the people were deported. 

Hosea, another prophet of the Lord, fore- 
warned his country with the passion of a patriot, 
saying, “The Lord hath a controversy with 
Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his 
ways; according to his doing will He recom- 
pense Him.” “O Israel, return unto the Lord 
thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniqui- 
ties.” £ That nation yielded not in the con- 
troversy and went to her doom. 

A controversy with the Lord is more to be 
dreaded than a conflict with all the armies and 
navies of the world. Contention with the Lord 
God Almighty is the sure road to disaster and 
ruin; no prevention without repentance. They 
who rush upon the thick bosses of His buckler, 
whether man or nation, willsurely fall in ig- 
nominious defeat. “Who shall strengthen him- 
self against the Almighty and stand?”§ 





Pets .0.. bt r0sea 12:2.- » t Hosea: 14:1. 
§ Job 15 :24-26. 
53 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


t 
4 


The Lord’s controversial spirit has not abated. 
The nations still persist in ruling themselves 
independent of Him. This He controverts and 
for ever will. The world will never be right, 
nor will the people be safe and happy, till Jesus 
be accorded His proper place among the world’s 
official circles. For this He is pleading. The 
contention grows acute. Long has He waited 
for favorable action. His patience has been 
insulted. The days of gentle pleading may 
possibly be ended. He is now speaking in deeds 
and judgments that stun the world. 

All the nations are vet heedless and obstinate. 
Their attitude invites heavier strokes. The 
great war was God’s most emphatic argument 
to persuade them to honor King Jesus in their 
government, and secure His aid in _ restoring 
order and peace on earth. But when the firing 
ceased the Lord was forgotten. 

One of the Hebrew prophets, observing the 
judgments of the Lord, how they were repeated 
because of obstinacy, and each time with in- 
creasing rigor, exclaimed with the passion of a 
disappointed and broken heart, ‘For all this 
His anger is not turned away, but His hand is 
stretched out still.” 

54 


THE LORD’S CONTROVERSY 


Repentance alone can roll back the tide of 
God’s wrath against rebellion and defiance. 
Persistance in the face of warning is the sure 
road to perdition. “Be wise now therefore, O 
ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and ye perish 
from the way.” + 

The distress of nations arises out of their 
ruinous policies of government. The clashing 
and crashing of empires, the wrecking of king- 
doms, the desolation of states and cities spring 
from the spirit of ambition, jealousy, revenge 
and self-promotion among rulers. All this is 
antagonistic to the Lord; directly opposed to 
His good-will toward mankind. Civil power 
not used for the world’s welfare, must have an 
end. Much more must the power employed to 
crush the people be crushed. ‘The face of the 
Lord is set against them that do evil, to cut off 
the remembrance of them from the earth.” + 

The Lord Jesus, who shed His blood for man’s 
redemption, is on the throne. A scepter of 
mercy is in His hand. His very soul prompts 
a gracious and generous reign. His love for 


(sen nest cent pment lI aati ead SS 8 paalte SS 
ka. (12) 17°21. + Psa. 2:10-12, t Psa. 34:15 


55 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


the nations impels Him to destroy the destroyer, 
and avenge the oppressed. The removal of the 
men who destroy the earth is determined. 
Merciless, incompetent and _ incorrigible rulers 
must go. The Lord has a controversy with 
them; He will make no compromise. 

Will not the sixty million Americans, who 
have the light and know the Lord, prove true 
to God and country, by placing our nation in 
line with the will of the Almighty Ruler? Let 
us beware of trying out conclusions with the 
Lord. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands 
of the living God.” * 


re 


* FHebi-10 :31: 
56 


x 
THE GREAT WARNING 


The Lord was more than a mere spectator in 
the great world-war. He was in command of 
all the forces on both sides, impelling, directing, 
limiting and halting the movements on_ every 
field; controlling the operations on land, on the 
sea and in the air, as it seemed proper to Himself. 
All the armies and navies were in His service, 
though they knew it not. He was in command, 
executing just judgment upon the nations, whose 
cup of iniquity was full and running over. ‘The 
frightfulness merely revealed the world’s wicked- 
ness. “And the Lord shall utter His voice before 
His army: for His camp is very great; for He 
is strong that executeth His word: for the day of the 
Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide 
ito 

And yet in judgment the Lord remembered 
mercy. In the midst of the anguish, a bitter cry 
arose from the heart of mankind,—‘Lord, speak 





*Joel 2:11. 
57 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


not with us in this manner any more, lest the 
world perish.” * And the armistice was signed; 
hostilities ceased; judgment was _ suspended. 
The lull in the storm is “The truce of God.” + 
The nations are given time to consider. Will 
the present peace result in repentance and re- 
form, or will the Lord be morally compelled 
to renew the fighting? 


The Lord spake then in the storm, executing 
judgment; He now speaks in the calm, warning 
against the sin that will incur greater punish- 
ment. They who have ears will hear His voice, 
saying, “If ye will not be reformed by Me by 
these things, but will walk contrary to Me; 
then will I also walk contrary to you, and will 
punish you yet seven times for your sins.” £ 


Many hesitate to impute war to the Lord; 
others stoutly resent the imputation; and not 
a few blaspheme the Christian’s God for His 
martial deeds. However the Bible says, “The 
Lord is a man of war.’§ Jesus declared that 
not a sparrow can fall on the ground without 
the heavenly Father; {| how then could ten mil- 


*Exo. 20:10. +Lloyd George. tLev. 26 :23-24. 
§SExo. 15:3. { Matt. 10:20. 
58 


THE GREAT WARNING 


lion men fall in battle in one war without Al- 
mighty God? 

The Judge of all the earth does right and 
only right. Serenely He accepts the conse- 
quence of all His acts; meets every interpreta- 
tion of His providences without wincing; pur- 
sues His way without hesitancy or interruption. 
The chirping of crickets cannot disturb the sun, 
nor the carping of critics annoy the Lord. 


When the Lord saw society seething in vice in 
the days of Noah; when in His eyes the whole 
world was cruel, corrupt, desperately wicked, He 
hesitated not to indentify Himself with an over- 
whelming deluge, saying, “Behold I, even I, 
do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to 
destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, 
from under heaven.” * Away with the sickly 
thought, that the Lord may not execute judg- 
ment upon the wicked! 

We have reached the time when the nations 
are sinning against light and knowledge. The 
gospel of Jesus Christ shines in all lands; the 
Bible is translated into almost every tongue; 
diplomatic relations afffliate all the nations. 





*Gen. 6:17. 
59 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


The world’s great nationhood has seen the light 
and is without excuse. 

Light increases responsibility. To know the 
tight and do the wrong brings fearful conse- 
quences. Jesus tells of the man, who, knowing 
what he ought to do and declining to do it, was 
therefore rushed into the outer darkness. * 

The guilt of the world, through wilful dis- 
vbedience, has become intensely aggravated 
under the light that shines from the cross and 
the throne of Jesus Christ. The gospel, which 
is the good news to the penitent, is the stern 
announcement of destruction to the obstinate, 
“To the one it is the savor of life unto life; to 
the other the savor of death unto death.” 7 

Sin, without the gospel, is merely wandering 
in darkness and perishing in error. Sin, under 
the gospel, is rebellion against the highest au- 
thority. Sin, where the gospel has continued 
long and the light has become bright, is con- 
temptible indifference to the majesty and good- 
ness of God, or defiance of His Almighty power. 
The world has reached the third degree. Is not 
the cup of iniquity full? Is not the guilt exceed- 
ing great? 





* Matt. 25:24-30. fII Cor. 2:16, 
60 


THE GREAT WARNING 


The apostle John, on the Isle of Patmos, had 
a vision of an angel “flying in the midst of heaven, 
having the everlasting gospel to preach unto 
them that dwell on the earth, even to every 
nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 
saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give 
glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is 
come.” * The world-wide gospel, in view of 
the world-wide rebellion, has changed its tone 
of mercy to that of judgment; Give glory to God, 
for the hour of His judgment is come.” 

In the providence of God we have fallen 
upon the times when the specific message of the 
gospel is judgment. The gospel of the present 
day is the cry of alarm, that the world may be 
aroused and saved. During long centuries the 
Lord deferred judgment and granted mercy. 
But in the last days, we are told, that “judgment 
will begin at the house of God.” Here a serious 
question is raised, “What shall be the end of 
them that obey not the gospel of God?” + 

Jesus speaks of “the times of the nations 
being fulfilled.” + He clearly shows, in the use 
of these words, that the nations have an allotted 


*Rev. 14:6. leh etd 17 tLuke 21 :24. 
61 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


time beyond which they cannot pass unless they 
reform. At the expiration of that specific 
period they will be weighed in a balance and 
just judgment will be executed. Have we any 
data for computing the length of the time, dis- 
covering when the judgment began and when it 
will end? 

In prophecy the term ‘times’ is used to denote 
years, each year having 360 days. Also in refer- 
ence to pericds of time, a prophetic day signifies 
a year. Accordingly, ‘‘a time” is one year; 
“times”, the plural, two years; “half a time”, 
half a year; “the times”, a definite expression, 
seven years, seven being the Hebrew number of 
perfection. Jesus mentioned “the times” of the 
nations. 

“The times’, seven years, each containing 
360 days, represents a total of 2520 days; and a 
day signifying a year, 2520 years, at the end of 
which, if this method of calculation be right, 
“the times of the nations” will be fulfilled. Can 
we discover when the 2520 years began? 

Jesus connects “the times of the nations” 
with the treading down of Jerusalem under the 
feet of the Gentiles.* Undoubtedly He refers 


*Luke 21:24. 
62 


THE GREAT WARNING | 


to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldean 
army in the year 606 B. C. At that time the 
kingdom of Judah was overthrown and the 
Church of the Lord humiliated. From that date 
the world-powers have dishonored the Church 
of God, distressed her, persecuted her, poured 
out her blood like water; and to this day, in 
their spectacular power and prominence, they 
overshadow her. 

If the times of the nations, the 2520 years, 
began in the year 606 B. C., they would end, 
according to this calculation, in the year 1914 
A. D.* Was this the date God had set for the 
execution of judgment upon the nations? It so 
appears. In that year the clock of time struck 
the fatal hour; a shot in Europe released the 
forces; the mighty men of war sprang to their 
feet; the massive armies were rushed into action; 
“blood flowed to the horse bridles;” the world 
staggered and weltered; the nations grew pale 
with the shock of battle and the loss of blood. 
Then from the heart of mankind a wail of 
anguish arose to heaven and the Lord relented. 

Evidently John, the seer of Patmos, viewed 


*This calculation was made by the author in 1897 
and published that year in the Christian Nation. 
63 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


the great war in vision; saw how it was inspired 
by infernal spirits and involved the whole 
world. He has left on record these words, “And 
I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out 
of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth 
of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false 
prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, 
working miracles, which go forth unto the kings 
of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather 
them to the battle of that great day of God 
Almighty. And he gathered them together into 
a place called Armageddon.’ * The battle of 
Armageddon had its frightful realization in the 


recent years and has passed into history. 


But have the nations learned that the Most 
High rules over men? Do they show a dispo- 
sition to honor His authority and do His will? 
Are they holding conferences and taking counsel 
to relate themselves to one another and to 
Almighty God, under Jesus Christ the “King 
of nations?” If negligent in this all-important 
matter, what can be expected but a re-opening 


of hostilities? 


*Rey. 16:13-16. 
64 


THE GREAT WARNING 


One storm is past. If it has not accomplished 
the divine purpose, another will soon be on the 
way. As the Lord spake in the storm so now 
He speaks in the calm. This is His merciful 
day of visitation. How His gentle voice once 
more pleads with the nations, entreating them 
to come unto Him and escape a repetition of 
the recent horrors! How He exhorts! Listen 
to His pathetic words, “Repent and turn your- 
selves from all your transgressions: so iniquity 
Shall not be your ruin.’ * And perceiving their 
suicidal obstinacy that is deaf to His appeals, 
He adds, “But if ye will not yet for all this 
hearken unto Me, then will I punish you seven 
times more for your sins; and I will break the 
pride of your power.” 

Will not the sixty million, America’s Christian 
patriots, hearken to the pleading Lord, and in 
the name of Jesus save our country from the 
pending judgments that will certainly crush im- 


penitent nations? 


*Ezek. 18 :30. yLev. 26:18-10. 
65 


XI 
THE APPROACHING CRISIS 


Jesus sat one evening with: His disciples on 
the Mount of Olives, gazing into the distant 
future and talking of the things that would 
befall the world.* As He gave expression to 
the strange vision that passed before Him, the 
twelve must have listened with rapt attention; 
fear and trembling surely fell upon every heart. 

It was the last evening of their Lord’s public 
ministry on earth and the very air seemed to 
breathe a solemnity seldom felt, if we may 
judge from the words that were spoken. As the 
sun sank behind the towers of Jerusalem and 
would no more light up the Lord’s way to the 
temple, He disclosed the heavy burdens of His 
heart; as His voice would never again be heard 
pleading with the multitude to escape impending 
calamities, He softly and tenderly gave flow to 
His innermost thoughts. 

In that twilight conversation, oppressed with 


*Matt. 24:1-3. 
66 


THE APPROACHING CRISIS 


seriousness, yet brightened with promises, Jesus 
used the following language: 

‘And there shall be signs in the sun, and in 
the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth 
distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and 
the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them 
for fear, and for looking after those things which 
are coming on the earth: for the powers of 
heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they 
see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power 
and great glory.” * 

Can it be that these somber thoughts of Jesus, 
uttered as the night shades were gathering 
around that little company, have their fulfil- 
ment in our own day? Did the far-seeing eyes 
of our Lord that evening take in present-day 
conditions and events that are now pending? This 
seems more than probable. The distracted 
state of the world is as true to that vision as a 
man’s face to his own photograph. The 
words spoken then are becoming “things” now,— 
things seriously significant. The prediction ma- 
terializes in our very presence; passes into 


*Luke 21 :25-27. 
67 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


history before our eyes. If not, then is pro- 
vidence illusive. 

The world is full of trouble and tragedy. The 
victory of nineteen-eighteen did not bring peace; 
the armistice did not terminate war. The 
nations came out of the orgies of blood stunned, 
delirious, maddened. ‘The world is still agitated 
and distracted as if possessed with legions of 
demons. 


Rulers and statesmen are anxious for the 
future of the nations; men are apprehensive 
and distressed in spirit. The leaders are dil- 
igently trying to prevent another world-war, 
their very eagerness betraying a fear of its pos- 
sibility. The Armament Conference has re- 
vealed the attitude of earth’s highest officials 
to be against war, or at least against war like 
the last; yet they have given the world no 
ground for assurance of lasting peace. Many 
see danger ahead and tremble for fear of the 
“things that are coming on the earth.” * 

And yet, in the face of all this, a survey of the 
world’s condition and present tendencies awakens 
a degree of hope. The war-spirit has been 





*Luke 21:26. 


THE APPROACHING CRISIS 


curbed by the Washington Conference; inter- 
national relations have been improved by the 
removal of misunderstandings; secret alliances 
have been discredited as signs of intrigue; auto- 
cratic power has received the death blow and 
is almost put out of commission; the recupera- 
tion of the war-wasted world is cheering; the 
revival of industry gives encouragement. Signs 
of a brightening future are not altogether want- 
ing, 

But will the forward movement, so happily 
begun, speed on till the world be fully recovered? 
On one condition; on one condition alone. 
Jesus has said, “Apart from Me ye can do noth- 
ing.’ * The meaning of these forceful words 
is broad enough to include nations. Perma- 
nent success springs from Jesus Christ; relation 
to Him determines the outcome. 

The re-cuperation of the world is a vast enter- 
prise. To insure success, it must be carried 
forward in the name of Jesus and for the glory 
of God; otherwise the new building, like the 
old, will not be able to weather the coming 
storm. Not founded upon the rock, it will 





*John 15:5. 
69 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


surely collapse; and great will be the fall of it. 
May the builders have wisdom to build upon 
the foundation of Bible truth, Jesus Christ 
Himself being the chief corner-stone.* The 
limitation of armament, even the _ elimination 
of the war-spirit, is not enough to insure per- 
manent success and abiding peace. 


Jesus tells of a man, who, when once rid of an 
evil spirit, spruced up, took on refinement, be- 
came a reputable gentleman; but he did not 
allow the Holy Spirit to occupy his heart. The 
moral vacancy, so clean and beautiful, tempted 
even the devil. The demon returned in com- 
pany with seven others worse than himself, and 
re-occupied that soul which he called his own 
house. The last state of that man was worse 
than the first. Of course it was. The meaning 
of the parable is clear. + 


The nations may clean house, make _alter- 
tions and improvements, become _ respectable, 
even magnificent; may grow very’ powerful 
and abound in wealth; may live luxuriantly 
amid the products of man’s skill and God’s 
goodness; yet if Jesus be not admitted into the 


*Eph. 2:20. tLuke 11 :24-26. 
70 


THE APPROACHING CRISIS 


State-house in His kingly authority, the most 
extensive improvements will prove to be a griev- 
ous disappointment. The devil will find an 
open door and will enter in. There he will 
resume his work of destruction and devastation 
with fiendish energy. Such is the warning 
Jesus has left the nations. 

The nations as yet have expressed no desire 
for Jesus as their Ruler. To this day the cry 
that arises from Civil Government is, “We will 
not have this man to reign over us.” * In some 
cases this may spring from lack of thought; in 
others, from antipathy. 


The obstinate spirit of the world’s author- 
ities as they reject the Prince of Peace, the 
King of nations, forebodes no good. ‘He that 
sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord 
shall have them in derision.’+ Surely He is 
having His laugh now at such contemptible 
defiance of His power and disregard for His 
authority. There may be some connection be- 
tween the Lord’s derision and the world’s present 
condition. 


And what will happen if the nations continue 


*Luke 19:14. Tradaro bes 
71 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


their rebellion against the Lord? Resistance 
to the authority of King Jesus must be over- 
come, or the throne of the Almighty is a failure. 
However the victory is not uncertain; Jesus 
will win. 

The Word of God informs us that the world 
from the beginning has been a theatre of war 
for the possession of power and dominion. ‘The 
conflict began in Eden when the devil as- 
sumed control of the human family, laying 
waste all their estate and turning their fair 
morning into darkness. His monstrous claim 
was immedately challenged; the great Creator 
disputed his right to rule the world. 


In Eden’s fair garden, the world’s detroyer and 
its Saviour had their first encounter. The con- 
flict has continued until this day without inter- 
mission. The progress and final results were 
foreshadowed in the words then uttered by the 
Lord to the devil, “He shall bruise thy head, 
and thou shalt bruise His heel.” * 

Right and wrong have met on every battle- 
field since that day. Freedom and _ justice, 
though oft perverted beyond recognition, have 





*Gen. 3:15. 
72 


THE APPROACHING CRISIS 


pleaded on the one side or the other. . As the 
centuries went by, the warfare waxed fiercer and 
the issue became clearer. 

The outstanding question today is, Who 
shall rule the world, Jesus or the devil? Shall 
Satan continue in sway, or shall Jesus Christ be 
the recognized Ruler? Shall the world remain 
under the dominion of the arch-demon, or shall 
its allegiance be transferred to the Lord Jesus 
Christ? The conflict has reached the acutest 
stage. 

The devil is intrenched in all the false religions, 
Christless governments and _ unscriptural _ insti- 
tutions on earth; he will never capitulate. His 
present activity in every land all over the world 
is amazing. He is mobilizing his forces and 
preparing his engines of destruction for his most 
desperate drive. He obviously knows that the 
coming battle will be final. His objective 
is the utter annihilation of Christianity. His 
immense forces are being arranged for an on- 
slaught upon Christ and His Church, that will 
sweep them from the face of the earth, if his plans 
carry. 

The apostle John, in vision, witnessed the 


73 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


military tactics and operations of the devil and 
published the following report of what he saw: 

“These ten kings have one mind, and shall 
give their power and strength unto the beast. 
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the 
Lamb shall overcome them; for He is Lord oi 
lords and King of kings; and they that are 
with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” * 

Will not the sixty million, who favor King 
Jesus, America’s splendid majority, rally their 
forces and consolidate their ranks to place our 
nation under His triumphant banner? A wrong 
alignment of our country in that battle will surely 
meet with disastrous defeat. 


*Rev. 17:13-14. 
74 


XII 
A MIGHTY MORAL CONFLICT 


The recent world-war, doubtless the Armaged- 
don of the Scriptures, has passed into history, 
but the problem of peace among the nations 
has not been solved. Nor will it be till the 
right relation of nations to Jesus be established. 
On this point the Bible is emphatic; rulers are 
solemnly warned. They have a choice between 
peace based on righteousness, and destruction 
through perversity. “Be wise now therefore, 
O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the 
earth.” * 

And yet they will not hearken; they show 
no readiness to take wise action. The regime 
of civil government nowhere rises above human- 
itarian principles. The kingship of Jesus is 
discredited by the men in authority; the Prince 
of Peace is not consulted in the Councils of 
peace. Like a ship speeding toward the rocks, 
they are rushing upon the threats of the Al- 


*Psa) 2°10. 
75 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


mighty. “The wicked shall be turned into 
hell, and all the nations that forget God.” * 

This attitude toward Jesus must prove disas- 
trous, yea utterly ruinous, if it be not changed. 
Who can contend with Almighty God and prevail? 
The Lord speaks to self-willed nations in this 
manner,—“If ye will not be reformed by me 
by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; 
then will I also walk contrary unto you, and 
will punish you yet seven times for your sins.” 

In the interim between the world-war and 
another war, the prophet sees a new force enter- 
ing the field of action. The Church is aroused 
to meet the task of the times. She sees the 
service she must render to the nations lest they 
perish, and is alive to the dangers that threaten 
her own life. Eager with a new vision of service 
and a new spirit to serve, she girds herself for 
best and hardest work. In the _ nineteenth 
chapter of The Revelation the prophet describes 
the occasion and its animated demonstrations. 
The followers of Jesus, illuminated by the Holy 
Spirit, will have a sublime conception of the 
kingly glory of their Lord. This will be spirit- 


6a," 257: tLev. 26 :23-24. 
76 





A MIGHTY MORAL CONFLICT 


ual, yet strikingly realistic. | He will be realized 
in their consicousness with all the vividness of 
an appearance; His attributes, the most dreaded 
by man and the most needed at the time, will 
be in clearest evidence. The prophet describes 
Him coming as a conqueror, crowned, decorated, 
mounted on a horse, leading His army, dashing 
upon the enemy, smiting with the sword, be- 
sprinkled with blood, most terrible in military 
power and action.* How dazzling His faith- 
fulness, righteousness, almightiness and authority, 
as He comes forth to judge the nations and take 
vengeance on their deeds! | 


Thus the Church in that eventful period will 
have a clear, large, life-size view of Jesus the 
King. The people will have a mental, spirit- 
ual, definite vision of His Divine Presence; a 
revelation that will impress His Personality and 
kingly glory upon their -deepest consciousness. 
They will be enlightened not merely to see the 
mountains filled with horses and chariots of 
fire; + they will be illuminated by the Holy Spirit 
to see heaven opened, the armies mobilizing and 
the Chief Captain leading forth His hosts. 


* Rev. 19:11-16. +II Kings, 6:17. 
77 










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AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


The Church will be aroused. An_ unpre- 
cedented task will confront her. The time of 
God’s truce may expire any day. ‘Then what? 
The renewal of hostilities; war-clouds again dark- 
ening the sky; the nations rushing into another 
horror surpassing that which recently made our 
world a bedlam. The stubborn powers of earth 
must be reduced; all armies, governments and 
institutions antagonistic to Jesus must disappear 
from the earth. If the armistice between God 
and the nations fail, the war must be resumed. 

May the appalling tragedy be prevented? 
Yes, but only in one way. Submission to Jesus 
will save the world. Nothing else can. The 
nations must obey the Lord or pass through 
another debacle. 

The Church, in the prophet’s vision, * grasps 
the situation and hastens to the rescue. With 
courage and enthusiasm she accepts her new 
work; rather her neglected work. Had she 
been active and faithful during the last nineteen 
centuries our world might have been a paradise. 
Now she rushes upon the scene with determina- 
tion. Jesus must be heralded as the King of 


*Rev. 19 :6-9. 
78 


A MIGHTY MORAL CONFLICT 


nations. His right to rule the world must be 
proclaimed; the men in power must hear the 
truth; authorities must be impressed. With 
courage and unquailing spirit she utters the 
facts concerning the Lord’s kingdom. 

King Jesus will then have advocates that 
will not keep silence. The prophet hears the 
voice of the Church, which to him was “as the 
voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of 
many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunder- 
ings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omni- 
potent reigneth.’’* 

The Church at this point is seen entering 
into a covenant with her Lord. The mighty 
voice that resounds as thunder arises from 
countless people that are jubilant over the pros- 
pect of a covenant. They are heard saying, 
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to 
Him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, 
and His wife hath made herself ready.” As 
the faithful bride is united to her husband in a 
covenant bond, even so will the Church in 
these latter days be joined to the Lord. 

The Church will consolidate her forces in 


*Rev. 19:6. Rev. 19:7. 
79 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


order to prevent another cataclysm of blood. 
The stupendous task will require her utmost 
strength. The covenant will form a _ federal 
union of Christ’s followers on one basic _princi- 
ple,—the principle of Christ’s kingship; an all- 
inclusive principle; a truth universally accepted 
by evangelical churches. 

These new Covenanters will constitute neither 
a sect nor a section of the Church of God. They 
will be “a great multitude.’ These are the 
“called and chosen and faithful.”’* Here are 
the vigilant, courageous and _ self-sacrificing of 
all the churches. They are described as the 
“armies” of the Lord, mounted on white horses 
following their Mighty Leader; + strong, swift, 
ready for action and sure of victory. ¢ 

These are the soldiers of the cross, sworn in, 
and bound by the most sacred oath to Jesus, 
inspired with the noblest purpose and fired with 
the spirit of loyalty to their Leader and love 
to country and mankind. Persuaded that the 
nations must submit to Jesus or perish, they 
press His claims with untiring zeal, plead with 
directness and pathos like the old prophets. 





*Rev.. 17:14. TRev. 19:14. tRev. 19:19-20. 
80 


A MIGHTY MORAL CONFLICT 


They know the rights of their Saviour-King and 
dare even to die for His sake. They see dangers 
gathering, a catastrophe that will deluge the 
earth with blood and tears, and they are willing 
to sacrifice themselves to prevent the horror. 

These are the King’s ambassadors offering 
terms of peace and pardon; His heralds pro- 
claiming His mandates and announcing His 
ultimatum, In the presence of rulers and people 
they cry, “Bow the knee and kiss the Son; sub- 
mit to Jesus and give glory to God.” With tender- 
ness and terribleness they push the conflict 
for the world’s redemption; with power and 
passion they utter the testimony of Jesus. 
Everything is at stake; the nations must be 
converted to the Lord or perish in His wrath. 
The time is short; action must be quick; delay 
may spell destruction. 

This will be the last effort at national reform; 
the finishing of the testimony of Jesus. Nor 
may it be altogether a failure. Some of the 
nations may be aroused to rally under the banner 
of Jesus and meet the approaching crisis side 
by side with the Mighty Conqueror. 

The testimony of these latter-day Covenanters 
will be direct and effective. Their utterance 

81 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


of the truth will be irrefutable and _ irresistible. 
The world-powers will be impressed but not 
persuaded; the rulers will believe and tremble 
but will not submit. Rather will their antago- 
nism be aroused. The men in power will plainly 
see that they will be unseated if the principles 
of Christ’s kingdom prevail. These heralds 
must be silenced or their doctrine will turn the 
world upside down. How history repeats itself! 

The dauntless heroes of the covenant con- 
tinue the agitation; the opposition grows des- 
perate; the moral warfare waxes fierce; the in- 
tensity of feeling aligns the whole world into 
two contending armies; the acutest stage is 
reached where logic ceases and artillery begins; 
the crisis has arrived. The covenanted wit- 
nesses of Jesus are hated, reproached, outlawed, 
persecuted. Their enemies combine to elimi- 
nate the Church from the earth and consign 
Jesus and His Kingdom to oblivion. * 

The stubborness of the nations makes the 
greatest and last of all wars a moral necessity. 
The cruel attempt ‘to extirpate the Church 
from the earth seals their doom; they must 


*Rev. 19:10. 
82 


A MIGHTY MORAL CONFLICT 


be crushed. Yet these noble servants of God 
are successful. Their testimony, being empha- 
sized with hardships and sealed with their 
blood, will bring Jesus into conspicuous prom- 
inence as the Moral Administrator of law and 
government on earth. This is their victory. 
The Lord Jesus will be revealed and realized 
throughout the world. His power will be felt, 
His judgments will be seen, His activities will 
be observed; all this as distinctly as if He were 
riding ‘a horse” in the streets of London or 
on the avenues of New York. ‘And _ behold 
a white horse; and He that sat upon him was 
called Faithful and True, and in righteousness 
He doth judge and make war.” * 

When the principles of the Lord’s kingdom 
are advocated till they inflame the public mind 
either for or against Jesus, the testimony is not a 
failure. Here the witnesses prevail; the public 
is aroused and Jesus comes upon the scene in 
power and glory. He is recognized around the 
world; no community has a monopoly of His pre- 
sence; His omnipotence and majesty arrest the 
attention of all nations. 


*Rey. 19 :11-16. 


83 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


This moral warfare thus reaches its climax. 
The time limit of God’s truce expires and the 
fighting begins; the last and worst of all wars 
then is on. * 

The organized forces of the world launch 
their well-planned drive against the Church and 
are promptly met by the Lord Jesus. He 
strikes hard. He moves over the field of carnage 
as a military hero. The enemies of God and 
man are prostrated beneath His righteous ret- 
ributions, and perverted government is  elim- 
inated from the earth. t 

Are the ministers of Jesus Christ alive to 
present conditions? Are they baptized with 
the Holy Spirit and with fire to meet the situa- 
tion? Are they gifted with speech of flame and 
stirring earnestness in the pulpit and on the 
platform? Do they consider that the world’s 
greatest crisis is overshadowing the nations? 
Is it not evident that the wrath of the Lord 
even now is kindled? t The judgment of the 
nations has doubtless already begun. Stroke 
after stroke may be expected till the powers 
that oppose the authority of Jesus be shattered. 


*Rey. 19:10. +Rev. 19 :20-21. tPsa.- 212. 
84 


A MIGHTY MORAL CONFLICT 


In view of clearest prophecies and alarming 
providences, will not the ministers of Jesus rally 
the churches on the vital principle of Christ’s 
kingship? Will they not line up the people of 
God, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to sub- 
scribe a covenant of loyalty to Jesus and be 
swom in as His soldiers? Will there not be a 
mighty host, “clothed in white’, prepared to 
follow Jesus in this moral conflict which must 
soon convulse the world? Heroic effort is the 
order of the day. The impenitent powers are 
doomed. Only under the banner of Jesus will 
America be safe. God grant that she may take 
her stand beside the Mighty Conqueror and vin 
other nations to the same standard. 

85 


XIII 
THE LAST OF ALL WARS 


The last of all wars prior to the Millennium, 
according to the Word of the Lord, will be the 
decisive engagement between Jesus and Satan 
for the dominion of the world. The issue will - 
be direct. The great leaders will appear in 
awful prominence, each determined on_ the 
annihilation of the other. This war will term- 
inate all war on earth, except the post-millennial 
insurrection. * On this point Scripture is very 
clear and decisive. 

Jesus will proceed to overthrow every wrong 
organization and godless institution on earth. 
“He will put on vengence as clothing, and be 
clad with zeal as a cloak: according to their 
deeds, accordingly He will repay, fury to His 
adversaries, recompence to His enemies.” 7 “He 
will arise to shake terribly the earth, that the 
things that are shaken may be removed, and 
the things that cannot be shaken may remain.” f 


*Rev. 20:7-10. tIsa. 59:17. tHeb. 12:27, 
86 


THE LAST OF ALL WARS 


The devil will come with all the power he can 
muster, and stake all his interests in the attempt 
to vanquish Jesus and obliterate the Christian 
religion from the earth. He will have control 
of ten kings, practically all national govern- 
ments, “And these shall make war with the 
Lamb; and the Lamb shall overcome them: 
for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; 
and they that are with Him are called, and 
chosen, and faithful.” * , 

Jesus will take the initiative, the time being 
ripe for the execution of judgment upon the 
obstinate and irreconcilable powers that ob- 
struct His reign. “And I saw heaven opened, 
and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon 
him was called Faithful and True, and in right- 
eousness He doth judge and make war.” + | 

The devil will place his legions in position to 
assume the offensive. “And I saw the beast, 
and the kings of the earth, and their armies 
gathered together, to make war against Him 
that sat on the horse and against His army.” + 

This gigantic struggle for supremacy in power 
will immediately precede the Millennium and 





*Rev. 17:12-14. fRev. 19:11. tRev. 19:19. 
87 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


prepare the way for it. Jesus will win and 
the fruit of His victory will be the prophetic 
thousand years of peace and good-will on earth. 
The battle is reported in the nineteenth chapter 
of The Revelation and the blessedness that 
follows, in the twentieth. 

The prophet Joel saw in vision the world- 
wide movements of the immense forces. With 
startling vividness he reports the mobilization 
of the armies and their extensive operations. 
Every unit of strength is focussed on the final 
issue. 

The Lord Himself issues the proclamation of 
war. He gives it to the prophet Joel for 
publication. The declaration is short, sharp 
sententious; the very soul of the Almighty 
flashes through it like lightning points. Thus 
it reads: 

“Proclaim ye this among the nations:—Pre- 
pare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the 
men of war draw near, let them come up; beat 
your plowshares into swords, and your pruning- 
hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. 

“Assemble yourselves and come, all ye nations, 
and gather yourselves together round about. 


88 


THE LAST OF ALL WARS 


(Thither cause Thy mighty ones to come down, 
O Lord.) 

“Let the nations be wakened, and come up 
to the Valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I 
sit to judge all the nations round about, Put 
ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; come, 
get you down ; for the press is full, the vats 
overflow; for their wickedness is great. 

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of de- 
cision: for the day of the Lord is near in the 
valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall 
be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their 
shining.” * 

Thus the Lord Himself proclaims the final 
war,—the war that will be the destruction of war, 
removing its causes and forces from the earth. 
The dreadful crisis will not be without ample 
compensation. 

The reference to “The Valley of Jehoshaphat”’ 
is quite significant.t The historical battle 
fought by King Jehoshaphat in the Valley of 
Berachah, afterward known as the Valley of 
Jehoshaphat, sheds light on the battle of the 
future. The former was evidently regarded by 
the prophet as a miniature of the latter.” t 


oo ees ana aes SSRIS CS ae eg 
*Joel 3:9-15. tJoel 3:12. fII Chron. 20:1-30, 
89 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


Jehoshaphat was at that time King of Judah. 
Judah was then the only nation that worshipped 
the living and true God. The surrounding 
nations, with infernal hatred and jealousy, had 
formed a league to exterminate that little king- 
dom. Ten powers, practically ail the world, 
had entered into the alliance. They are listed 
in the Eighty-Third Psalm. The basis of union 
was the general invitation,—“‘Come, and _ let 
us cut them off from being a nation; that the 
name of Israel may no more be in remembrance.” * 

When King Jehoshaphat was informed of 
these hostile movements, with intention to ex- 
terminate Judah, he was greatly distressed. 
The forces were represented as a great multi- 
tude. How could an army be mustered to 
turn back the invading hosts? The king ap- 
pealed to the God of battle as the Judge of 
nations. Prayer gave courage. The king arose 
from his knees equal to the occasion and led 
his small army to meet the foe. Ere he formed 
his battle-line in presence of the enemy, he called 
his singers to the front and there held a praise 
service. They sang a Psalm. The Psalm began 





ead se on. 
go 


THE LAST OF ALL WARS 


with an outburst of triumph: ‘Praise the Lord, 
for his mercy endureth for ever.” By faith in 
the Lord they had already fought the battle; 
the victory was won before a sword was drawn. 
As the sacred music arose above the cliffs, a 
violent mania seized the opposing forces; with 
savage impluse they fell upon one another; the 
slaughter was general; “every one helped to 
destroy another.” * 

The prophet doubtless mentions the battle 
in the Valley of Berachah as an illustration of 
that which is yet to come, the former having 
its counterpart in the latter, though enormously 
enlarged. The illustration will assuredly have 
its corresponding tragedy. 

If the mind of the prophet leaped from the 
one battle to the other by way of analogy, he 
has thereby given us interesting information 
concerning the actual engagement yet to come. 
The vast armies, forming a league against Jesus 
and His Church, will meet with swift and terrible 
retribution. | When ready to make the drive to 
sweep Christianity from the earth and consign 
the name of Jesus to oblivion, they will be thrown 





*II Chron. 20:23. 
ey 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


into inextricable confusion and meet with dire 
destruction at the hand of one another. “I will 
shake the heavens and the earth; and I will 
overthrow the thrones of kingdoms; and I will 
destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the 
nations; and I will overthrow the chariots and 
those that ride in them; and the horses and their 
riders shall come down, every one by the sword 
of his brother.” * 

The prophet, after taking a glance at local 
disturbances in the days of King Jehoshaphat, 
turned his eyes from thence far down the vista 
of time and witnessed the general catastrophe 
destined to befall the nations that forget God; 
that set aside the authority of Jesus and dare 
to wage battle against the Christian Church. 

The prophet Joel has given us no account of 
the action itself; its horrors have been veiled. 
But the field of carnage has been sketched by © 
a skillful artist, John, the author of The Reve- 
lation. He surveys the scene when the clash 
of arms, the shouting of captains and the groan- 
ing of the wounded have ceased. The stillness is 
painful. Silence broods over the broad area 





*Hag. 2:21-22. 


92 


el bat LAS ORrALE WARS 


covered with the slain. Kings in their royal 
robes stained with their own blood, generals 
yet adorned with their golden epaulets, captains 
still clenching the sword with pulseless hand, 
horses and riders stretched on the ground to- 
gether, regiments of men mangled and mingled,— 
the vast field covered with them. ~ Here death 
has enjoyed his wildest orgies, dancing to the 
music of dying groans and drinking the flowing 
blood of the fallen. The slaughter is so great 
that burial is impossible. The air is darkened 
with the birds of prey, hasting to feast on the 
flesh of the slain. 

“And I saw an angel standing in the sun; 
and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the 
fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come 
and gather yourselves together unto the supper 
of the great God; that ye may eat the flesh of 
kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh 
of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of 
them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, 
both free and bond, both small and great.”* 

Will not America’s sixty million Christians 
have sufficient foresight and patriotic zeal to 





*Rey. 19 :17-18. 
93 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


align our nation with Jesus Christ in time to 

meet the crisis and escape the crushing defeat? 

Come, Lord Jesus; O come, find a place for 

thyself in our hearts, and in the government of 

our country, lest we perish in the great overthrow. 
04 


XIV 
IS THE WAR PREVENTABLE 


What! Another war looming up! Dark 
clouds again gathering! The decisive conflict 
still future! The struggle between right and 
wrong, foretold by Jesus and his prophets, yet 
to be met! The skeptic will smile; the Chris- 
tian will consider; the anxious will inquire. In 
many hearts the question will arise,” Cannot the 
predicted war be prevented?” 

With the Lord all things are possible, though 
all calamities be not warded off. Divine pro- 
phecy does not in every case commit the Lord 
to corresponding action. At God’s command 
Jonah walked the streets of Nineveh and with a 
loud voice proclaimed, “Yet forty days, and 
Nineveh shall be overthrown.” * The forty 
days elapsed and the city still stood in her glory. 
Did the fact prove the prophet false, or the 
Lord’s word a failure? Nay, the proclamation 
took immediate effect. The prophecy was a 


*Jonah 3:1-I10. 


95 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


warning and as such it saved the city. The 
warning was heeded. Nineveh repented and 
the Lord forgave. “If that nation, against 
which I have pronounced, turn from their evil, 
I will repent of the evil I thought to do unto 
them.” * Thus the Lord explains His method 
of dealing with nations. 

The Lord never reverses Himself; but when 
morally possible He reverses the sentence and 
suspends judgment. “With Him there is no 
variableness, neither shadow of turing.” + 
“But He is in one mind} and who can turn Him, 
and what His soul desireth, even that He 
doeth.” = 

The Lord is of one mind, and that irreversible 
Mind is Mercy: MERCY always to the pen- 
itent. Forgiveness upon repentance is in God’s 
nature a fundamental law; mercy to all who 
forsake sin is sure and unfailing as God’s own 
life. 

Jeremiah delivered the Lord’s message against 
Jerusalem, saying, “I will make Jerusalem heaps, 
and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities 
of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.” § 





*Jer. 18:8, tJames 1:17. tJob 23:13. §Jer. 9:11. 
96 


IS THE WAR PREVENTABLE 


Later He added these gracious words for en- 
couragement; they come from His deep yearn- 
ing heart; “If ye diligently hearken unto Me, 
saith the Lord, and hallow the Sabbath Day, 
to do no work therein, then shall there enter 
into the gates of this city kings and princes 
sitting upon the throne of David, riding in 
chariots and on horses; they and their princes, 
the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of 
Jerusalem; and this city shall remain for ever.” * 
Had Jerusalem reformed, the Lord would have 
pardoned. Jerusalem was incorrigible and went 
to her doom; the city became heaps and a 
den of dragons. 

All nations still reject Jesus Christ as_ their 
Ruler and Counselor. He has no voice, with 
their permission, in their government. They 
pursue policies of human wisdom, recognizing 
no power in the state higher than themselves. 
Persistence in this course will surely end in ruin. 
Willful disobedience without repentance ends in 
perdition. Repentance, or perdition? Which will 
it be with our beloved country? 


Our nation faces her future with open eyes. 


*Jer. 17 :24-25. 
97 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


The prophecy of the final war is her warning 
from the Lord. He speaks with a loud voice 
from the Book, as it is read in the home, taught 
in the Sabbath School and preached from the 
pulpit. Will our country be aroused to the 
pending danger, or will she heedlessly pass on 
till the storm break and the earth once more 
be drenched with blood and tears? God grant 
that she may place herself in line with the Lord 
Jesus Christ and be saved from the wild catas- 
trophe. The wicked who know of hell and turn 
not from their evil course, will surely get there; 
also all the nations that forget God.* 

Has the Church of Christ any responsibility 
relative to the impending war? Can she pre- 
vent it? If not, then can she postpone its arrival 
and lessen its horrors? Her ministers, as repre- 
sentatives of Jesus, have entered all countries. 
The Lord has placed them as sentinels to note 
the danger and sound the alarm. Have they 
caught the vision? Do they realize the situa- 
tion? Are they aroused to action? Are they 
pleading with rulers, in the name of Jesus, “as 
though God did beseech them, to be reconciled 





*P6a.0-17, 


IS THE WAR PREVENTABLE 


to God?” * Yet with all this, the heathen world, 
as it lies prostrate beneath satanic domination, 
will scarcely yield to their entreaties. 


In gospel lands the Church has greater power 
and corresponding responsibility. Conscious of 
numerical strength and moral influence, she can 
approach her task in Christian countries with 
hope. Perhaps the men in authority will listen; 
they may tremble at the wrath of God revealed 
from heaven against the world’s rebellion. They 
may see the suicidal folly of continuing to decline 
the authority of King Jesus. 


Will not the people of the Church, guided by 
the Holy Spirit and stirred with passionate 
earnestness, put forth their best endeavor to 
detach the gospelized nations from the irrecon- 
cilable enemies of the Lord Jesus, and place 
them in allegiance to this King of kings and 
Lord of lords, lest they perish in the great 
destruction? 

Will not the sixty million, America’s Christian 
patriots, spring into action and align our country 
with Jesus and His army. He is the Lord of 





*IT Cor. 5:19-20. 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


hosts; the Tord, mighty in battle.* In view 
of His coming to win the world from the devil 
and make it the abode of peace and righteous- 
ness, will they not rally under His banner and 
cause the very welkin to echo with His praise? 
Great America, lift up thy voice and shout the 
doxology of angels, “Worthy is the Lamb that 
was slain, to receive power, and riches, and 
wisdom, and strength, and honor, and _ glory, 
and blessing.” + 





*Psa.24°8-10. TReEV.5 bo) 
100 


XV 
RE-CONSTRUCTION OF SOCIETY 


The world will suffer immense loss in the final 
war, but the compensation will far exceed the 
loss. After it is over, there will soon be abundant 
evidence that it was well worth while. It will 
be the only profitable war that was ever waged; 
the results will quickly make the world rich. 

As the earth in springtime, amid melting 
snows, swollen rivers and destructive storms, 
breaks her icy chains and is set free from winter; 
so the world, amid tumults and commotions, will 
be released from the long winter of oppression, 
unhappiness and abnormal conditions. 

And as the earth, when once released from 
the grasp of winter, quickly responds to the 
genial sun and_ refreshing showers, clothing 
herself with green and white and gold and blue, 
a wonderful wealth of foliage and _ blossom, 
promising an abundant harvest; so the world 
will quickly feel the warmth of the love of Jesus, 
and respond to the showers of blessings by the 

101 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


Holy Spirit. “For the Lord God will cause right- 
eousness and praise to spring forth before all 
the nations.” 

With this vision of the Lord’s purpose in ex- 
ecuting judgment upon impenitent nations, let 
us take a bird’s eye view of the appalling wreck- 
age of the powers and kingdoms that will 
fight Jesus Christ to the finish. Thus will we 
see the magnitude of the work of re-construc- 
tion, a work that will fall to those who will 
have followed the great Conqueror to victory. 

The prophecy of the final war is a warning 
from the Lord in the most emphatic language. 
But the world takes no heed and never did. The 
masses rush on in the pleasures of sin and pur- 
suit of gain, taking no time to consider, having 
no inclination to do better. 

In the days of old the Lord foretold the coming 
of a general deluge on account of intolerable 
wickedness and gave the world time to repent.* 
While the weather was fair they had no fear; 
nor did they lay it to heart till the downpour 
struck their roofs and the torrents dashed 
through their windows. Then they believed, 








*Gen. 6:3-17. 


RE-CONSTRUCTION OF SOCIETY 


but it was too late. The calamity came as a 
cloud-burst and the people perished. 

Likewise our Lord Jesus has spoken of the 
approaching crisis: “For as a snare shall it 
come on all them that dwell on the face of the 
whole earth. Watch ye therefore and pray 
always, that ye may be accounted worthy to 
escape all those things that shall come to pass, 
and to stand before the Son of man.” * 

The final war will end in the utter collapse of 
Christless civilization wherever it exists; not 
one stone shall be left upon another. The 
colossal structure, magnificent though it be, 
and strongly built, rests upon a foundation of 
sand. Only that which is founded upon the 
rock will survive the coming storm.f All organ- 
izations of men, separated from Jesus Christ 
and conducted independent of Him, will dis- 
appear in the overflowing flood. The men who 
live apart from Jesus, serving in any sphere of 
human activity where Christ is not honored, 
will be ashamed of themselves and of their busi- 
ness. “And they shall go into the holes of the 
rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear 





*Luke 21 :35-36. {Matt. 7 :24-27. 


103 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty, 
when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” * 

The final war will be a _ world-tragedy by 
which the earth will be strewn with the wreck- 
age of all impenitent nations. The powers that 
will not reform must be broken: “Thou shalt 
break them with a rod of iron.’+ Govern- 
ments that will not respect Jesus Christ as the 
Supreme Governor must be shattered: “Thou 
shalt dash them in pieces as a potter’s vessel.” 
Rulers who will not be loyal to the enthroned 
Son of God will wander and perish: “Be wise 
now therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye 
judges of the earth. Kiss the Son, lest He be 
angry, and ye perish from the way.’ All 
idolatrous and apostate religions will be totally — 
and forever obliterated from the earth: “And 
the idols He _ shall utterly abolish.’§ All 
social, educational, commercial and __ political 
systems not of God will come to naught: ‘That 
no flesh may glory in His presence.” { All 
organizations, however ancient, powerful, mag- 
nificent or beneficial, if the glory of the Lord be 


*Isa. 2:10. 7h sa. 200. £Psa. 2:10-12. §Isa. 2:18. 
giCor. 1:29. 
104 


RE-CONSTRUCTION OF SOCIETY 


not their chief aim, and the name of Jesus be not 
their glory, will crumble into ruins. “The 
lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the 
haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and 
the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” * 

The appalling wreckage, however, will be 
followed speedily by the re-organization of 
society. The old world will quickly become 
juvenescent, almost spontaneously, well nigh 
instantaneously. The New Earth will appear, 
growing bright and fresh as in the morning of 
creation. The Lord will have means at hand and 
forces ready to give the woe-stricken world new 
form, order, beauty, goodness and _ righteous- 
ness, making it the abode of peace and happiness 
for the masses, so suddenly released from mis- 
rule and happily surviving the world-wide ruin. 

The three chief destroyers of the earth, the 
devil, the beast and the false prophet, the ma- 
lignant trinity, being eliminated, + The re-organ- 
ization of society, though a stupendous task, 
will be neither hopeless nor difficult. 

In the social re-construction of the world, the 
restoration of civil government appears in the 


*Isa. 2:17. TRev. 19:20, 20:1-3. 
105 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


prophet’s vision as the first thing in order. 

“And I saw thrones,” he says; seats of au- 
thority prepared for a new class of incumbents. 
“And they sat upon them,’ he continues; the 
new officials, functioning in their responsible 
places, enacting laws and administering govern- 
ment. * 

Who sat upon the thrones? John, the seer of 
Patmos, gives a ready answer; “Even the souls 
of them that were beheaded for the witness of 
Jesus and for the Word of God.” t 


But who are these souls? “The resurrected 
martyrs of Jesus,” is the reply that comes from 
many who answer without due _ deliberation. 
Our Lord, however, has given us the key to 
this difficult problem by referring to John the 
Baptist, saying, “This is Elijah.’ But when 
the people put the question up to John, he said, 
“T am not Elijah.’$ | How reconcile these 
statements which seem so contradictory? By 
common sense. John was not Elijah in person, 
but by personification. As it is written, “And 
he shall go before the Christ in the spirit and 
power of Elijah.’** The Baptist personified 


*Rev. 20:4. Rev. 20:4. fMatt. 11:14. §John 1:21. 
** Luke 1:17. 
106 


RE-CONSTRUCTION OF SOCIETY 


Elijah in courage, energy, self-denial, loyalty to 
God, faith in the Messiah and consciousness of 
his commission from heaven. He was not 
Elijah, but possessed many of Elijah’s_ char- 
acteristics. 

The souls, that shall sit in authority and rule 
the nations, will not be the martyrs of Jesus 
resurrected, but the martyrs duplicated; men of 
like caliber and character; men _ consecrated, 
endued with power, filled with the Holy Spirit 
and thoroughly fitted for the work of their times. 
The great men of the past, the celebrated ser- 
vants of Jesus, will be personified in the notable 
generation by which the Lord will re-create the 
earth; the lives of the worthies of former ages 
will be repeated in the coming age. 


Stephen, Andrew, Peter, James, John, Paul, 
Barnabas, Timothy, Titus, Polycarp, Ignatius, 
Augustine, Huss, Jerome, Latimer, Ridley, Cran- 
mer, Luther, Zwingle, Melancthon, Calvin, Wish- 
art, Knox, Welch, Melville, Guthrie, Hender- 
son, Gillespie, Peden, Argyle, Warriston, Car- 
gill, Rutherford, Cameron, Renwick, Livingston, 
Paton, Judson, Carey; these and many others 


107 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


of like fame, will be matched by the men, whom 
the Lord will have in readiness for the world’s 
restoration after the wreck of the mis-guided 
nations. They will have a commission from 
heaven to proceed with their work, * ability to 
meet the situation everywhere and wisdom to 
attain to universal success. 

“And they lived and reigned with Christ a 
thousand years.” + For the first time in his- 
tory, with a few local and limited exceptions, 
civil government will then be elevated to the 
moral height of the Mediatorial Reign of Jesus 
Christ; will be established on the basis of the 
Divine will and administered in the name of 
Jesus by His own loyal and efficient servants, 
to the glory of God the Father. 


The world will be occupied then as now by 
successive generations. Happy homes will be 
established by healthy parents; their numerous 
offspring will be as olive plants around the table. 
Children will yet be born in sin and saved through 
the blood of Jesus, just as in former times. No 
change is reported in the plan of salvation. The 
truth recorded by the ancient prophet stands 


*Dan. 7:22. +Rev. 20:4. 
108 


RE-CONSTRUCTION OF SOCIETY 


good for all ages,—‘The just shall live by faith.” * 
Nor will all be just, in those days, for all will not 
have faith; there will still be sinners, but they 
will no more be in prominence. 

The prophet Isaiah has given us a wonderful 
picture of the New Earth.+ Filled with rap- 
ture he wrote his vision; “There shall be no 
more thence an infant of days, nor an old man 
that hath not filled his days: for the child shall 
die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an 
hundred years old shall be accursed.” No more 
little caskets or short graves; the children, possibly 
without exception, will grow up. None decrepit 
among the godly; the centenarian will be fresh 
and buoyant as a child. No more deaths by feeble- 
ness or disease among God’s people; though death 
occur even at the age of one hundred years, the soul 
will leave a healthy body to go forth and be with 
Christ, which is far better. No more prominent and 
honorable men among those who reject Jesus 
and live in sin; they will reach the acme of life, 
then decline, wither and perish as under a curse. 
No doubt there may be exceptional cases, but 
_ the rule will prevail, as the prophet has declared 


*Hab. 2:4. yIsa. 65:17-25. 
109 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


in specific terms. What a wonderful world this 
will be, when re-constructed by men chosen of 
the Lord and qualified by the Holy Spirit! 

“Then shall the people praise Thee, O God; 
then shall all the people praise Thee; then shali 
the nations be glad and sing for joy.” * 

“Then shall the earth yield her increase; God, 
even our God, shall bless us; God shall bless us, 
and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.” 

“Then shall the mountain of the Lord’s house 
be established in the top of the mountains, and 
shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations 
shall flow unto it.” 7 

“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My 
holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the 
knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters 
cover the sea.” £ 

“Then great voices shall be heard in heaven, 
saying, The kingdoms of this world are become 
the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ; 
and He shall reign for ever and ever.” § 

“His name shall endure for ever; His name 
shall be continued as long as the sun; and men 


*Psa. 67.:1-7. + Isa; 2:25) /f1Sa) 11-0. * GReveeaee ie 


IIo 


RE-CONSTRUCTION OF SOCIETY 


shall be blessed in Him; all nations shall call 
Him blessed: 

“And blessed be His glorious name for ever 
and ever; and let the whole earth be filled with 
His glory; Amen, and Amen.” * 

Will not America’s sixty million, the splendid 
working majority, establish our country in right 
relation with Jesus Christ, that she may escape 
the righteous retributions coming on the earth? 
Will not America fit herself for leadership to 
bring the world out of the horrible darkness into 
the marvelous light of the favor of God? We 
appeal to the invincible army of Christian patriots. 





*Psa, 72 317-10. 
III 


XVI 
THE TIME OF THE END 


When will the millennium arrive? Are we 
justified in trying to compute the intervening 
years? Have we any Scriptural data upon 
which to base an investigation? What are the 
main events that will fill the time between now 
and then? What ought to be our attitude 
toward that golden era? What responsibility 
do we bear in preparing the world for it? Such 
are the questions that will arise in every thought- 
ful heart. 

We may be deterred from ascending this mount 
of vision by the thought that it is too holy to 
be trodden by the foot of man or seen by human 
eye. To ascend may seem _ presumptuous. 
“Secret things belong to the Lord our God.”* 
“Tt is not for you to know the times or the 
seasons, which the Father hath put in His own 
power.” + “But of that day and hour knoweth 
no man, no, not the angels in heaven, but My 


*Deut. 29 :20. +Acts 1:7. 
112 


THE TIME OF THE END 


Father only.”~ All this is cautionary to the 
highest degree against curious gazing into the 
things the Lord has concealed. 

Yet Jesus encouraged the people to study and 
understand the times in which they lived. He 
severely upbraided those who were obtuse and 
ignorant of the events, that were turning pro- 
phecy into history before their eyes. ‘O ye 
hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, 
but can ye not discern the signs of the times?’”* 
What has been written has been written to be 
read, studied and understood. Thus far we 
ought to go, but no farther. 

The Revelation is the neglected book of the 
Bible; its difficulties are the common excuse. 
What if the excuse be but a subterfuge for mental 
indolence! This book gives its blessing to the 
reader in the first chapter and its benediction 
in the last chapter. The blessing and the bene- 
diction are both worth having. 

When will the Millennium arrive? Perhaps 
no one can give a definite answer. Beware of 
indulging in self-assurance, where opinion so 
widely varies and where scholars cannot agree. 


~ Matt. 24:36. * Matt. 16:3. 
113 


AMERIGA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


Positiveness may be presumption. Yet all should 
listen to the Hebrew prophets and study the 
meaning of their messages. On the times and 
events of prophecy we ought to have a mind of 
our own. An error of judgment may not be as 
serious as indifference to what is written. 

By careful study of prophecy and a logical ar- 
rangement of predicted events, the time of the 
“great tribulation” may at least be approximated 
and the dawn of the Millennium contingently 
ascertained. 

Daniel mentions “the time of the end;” * not the 
end of the time. The time of which he speaks 
evidently covers a period of years. These will 
be years fraught with astounding events and un- 
precedented calamities, terminating in the final 
overthrow of the world powers. On this point 
the Bible is clear and emphatic. 

Let us here observe some of the operations of 
providence and conditions in society, set forth in 
The Revelation as leading up to the world’ssupreme 
crisis and the Millennial morning which quickly 
follows the crisis. 


1 The change of the tone of the gospel. 





*Dan. 12:4. 
114 


THE TIME OF THE END 


The angel, “having the everlasting gospel,” is 
heard, saying, “Fear God and give glory to Him; 
for the hour of His judgment is come.” t 

The gospel will not cease to offer mercy to peni- 
tent sinners; yet when God arises to vindicate 
His moral government by requiting the nations 
according to their guilt, the loudest note sound- 
ing from the pulpit should be that of judgment. 
The people should be warned of pending danger; 
the watchman who fails may be found guilty of 
blood. £ 

2 The world war, predicted as the battle of 
Armageddon. The prediction and the reality 
correspond as a face to its photograph. 

Jesus said that the times of the nations must 
be fulfilled. He thereby intimated that they 
had a time-limit; and when they reached that time 
their ruinous policies and disastrous failures would 
cease. 

Evidently the time, when the cup of their in- 
iquity was full, arrived in the year of our Lord 
1914. Then the Lord arose and executed judg- 
ment upon the guilty powers; “the wine press of 
the wrath of Almighty God was trodden, and 


7 Rev. 14:17. {Ezek. 33:6. 
115 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


blood came out of the wine press even unto the 
horse bridles.’’ * 

3 The armistice of 1918, God’s merciful truce. 
The conflict was protracted; the carnage was 
frightful; the homes of Europe were draped in 
mourning; the heart of mankind was crushed; 
despair was settling down upon the world; a cry 
of anguish rent the heavens. The gracious Lord 
relented; He granted a truce and stopped the 
war. He gave the nations time and opportunity 
to consider His terms of peace. 

4 The continued impenitence and obstinacy of 
the powers. 


The truce has been in operation seven years. 
The nations have had ample time to consider God’s 
terms of peace. They have held councils and 
conferences: they have consulted together con- 
cerning international issues and problems involv- 
ing generations yet to come. But in no instance 
has even a solitary voice been reported advocating 
peace on the Lord’s conditions. | How long will 
the King of nations endure such treatment? 

5 Prophecy definitely announces the renews 
of hostilities. 





eae es SIEM Ys 
* Rev. 14:20: 


116 


THE TIME OF THE END 


What can be expected at the hand of God 
Almighty, when we consider the offensive attitude 
of the nations toward Him? Will the truce of 
God be indefinitely continued? “Be not deceived; 
God is not mocked.” Man and nation shall 
reap what they sow. ‘The discourtesy, ingrat- 
itude and puerile insolence of the powers. will 
have an equivalent recompense. The nations 
are “treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath 
and revelation of the righteous judgment of 
Goce + 

6 The issue of the final conflict as predicted 
in the Word of God. 

The prophets have not failed to sound the alarm 
in explicit terms. The doom of incorrigible 
nations has been announced in tones of thunder 
and with tears of sorrow. The valley of decision; 
the judgment of the powers; the collapse of the 
nations; the overthrow of ail the forces arrayed 
against the Lord Jesus: how vivid and awful 
the description given by Daniel, + Joel, § Hag- 
gai {| and John, ** God’s inspired seers! 

The powers aligned against the Lord are defeated; 
the vast field of battle is covered with the slain; ++ 





+ Rom. 2:5. £Dan. 2:44. $Joel 3:9. Hag. 2:22. 
PeeevestO 15. yf Rey. 10-17, 


117 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


the devil is taken captive and imprisoned. tt ‘The 
Millennium quickly follows; the dawn lifts the 
clouds and takes the chill from the earth. 

By a candid survey of the situation, does it 
not appear that the world is rapidly approaching 
the crisis of the ages? Is it not evident that 
we are living in the last days of God’s truce, 
when His warth may break forth as fire? Can 
aught be more offensive than the bad faith with 
which the nations are dealing with the Lord? 
Can anything be more certain than that the war 
between the Lord and the powers will be renewed? 

What can be more evident than that the nations 
are being borne downward on perilous rapids to- 
ward some dark mysterious cataclysm? Does 
not the thunder of a dreadful cataract awaken 
serious apprehensions? Who can doubt that the 
world is already feeling the first gusts of the “great 
tribulation?” 

The storm will come with terrific force, but will 
not last long.* It will exceed all hitherto on 
record, but will quickly subside. The Millennial 
sunrise will immediately brighten the sky, ban- 
ishing the horrible night. Then will the world 





tt Rev. 20:2. * Matt. 23:21. 
118 


THE TIME OF THE END 


have peace, righteousness and prosperity; God 
will be glorified and man will be happy; Jesus 
will be exalted and all lands will sing His praise. 

The world just now is on a tempestuous sea. 
Indications point toward a crucial event rapidly 
approaching. Unless all signs fail, Mother Earth 
is already suffering pre-natal qualms. “The whole 
creation groaneth and travaileth in pain.’ * The 
Old World nears the time when, through convul- 
sions and agony it will expire, giving birth to the 
New Earth. + 

The time when the Millennium will arrive may 
still be veiled. Positiveness here has often proved 
presumption. The ground has been surveyed by 
the inspired prophets of God, but the records are 
difficult to interpret. 

Yet regarding the preceding events, in their 
logical succession and astounding results, we enter- 
tain no doubt. The world-crisis is coming. 


The alignment of forces, the decisive battle, the 
collapse of non-Christian powers, the elimina- 
tion of Satan from the earth, the spiritual resur- 
rection of the world, the reconstruction of 
society on a Scriptural basis, the exaltation of 


*Rom. 8:22 fibae 05:17: 
119 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


Jesus Christ as triumphant King and mighty 
Saviour in every land; such are some of the 
events that are now speeding down upon the 
sleeping world. They reveal Almighty God in- 
action. He is marching on; the noise of His 
chariots resounds in our ears. The thunder of 
His providences demands attention. There can 
be no doubt about the events. ‘The vision is 
for an appointed time, but at the end it shall 
speak, and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it; 
because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”* 

Before the early sun tips the highest mountain- 
tops, he pours his golden rays upon the bosom of 
a bright orb which we call the morning star; 
and that star, flushed with fresh glory, proclaims 
the coming of a new day. The Millennium will 
first be seen in Jesus Christ, the Bright and 
Morning Star, as the world gets a new concep- 
tion of His beauty and goodness, majesty and 
supremacy. Quickly then will the mountain- 
tops be tipped with the splendors of the com- 
ing day, and the valleys flooded with light, and 
all the world filled with gladness and songs of 
praise. 


*Halo22a, 


120 


THE TIME OF THE END 


To live in these days, O what a privilege! A 
decade now is worth more than one of Methuse- 
lah’s centuries. He watched the clouds grow 
dark and waited for the flood to destroy the 
world. We watch the conflict deepening; the 
dread crisis is sounding in our ears; we await 
the final contest between right and wrong. The 
shock of battle, the destruction of armies, and 
the overthrow of nations will be appalling. Yet 
in the resplendent vision of the Lord and His 
victory, we arise in triumphant spirit, and looking 
beyond, see the whole world filled with happy 
people; all the nations emancipated from evil 
and consecrated to righteousness. 

What a privilege to witness, as we do, the 
majesty of the Lord in His dreadful providences, 
and co-operate with Him in preparing the world 
for its great renovation! Did any generation 
see such marvelous works as we? We have 
watched God in the great war as “He stood and 
measured the earth:” We have seen Him as “He 
beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the 
everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpet- 
ual hills did bow: His ways are everlasting.” We 
have beheld the progress of the gospel until our 


I2I 


AMERICA IN THE COMING CRISIS 


hearts cry out,, “His glory covers the heavens, 
and the earth is full of His praise.” 

Let us keep fit for the trying times that are 
yet ahead, and be ready for the work of re-con- 
struction when the fight is over. Young people 
take notice:—The faithful and efficient by and by 
will be in great demand. Listen to the solemn 
words of Jesus, referring to the times that are 
upon us: 

“Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time 
your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and 
drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and so 
that day come upon you unexpectedly. For as 
a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on 
the face of the whole earth. 

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that 
ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these 
things that shall come to pass, AND TO STAND 
BEFORE THE SON OF MAN.” 


I22 


THE END. 








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